HMC: Doctors demand K-P, Centre release funds for burn unit

Say matter taken up with CM but no progress made so far

PESHAWAR:

Doctors in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have accused the federal and provincial governments for not providing funds to complete the under-construction burn unit at Hayatabad Medical Complex. They stated 80% work on the said project has been completed but authorities seem reluctant to release the funds.

Doctors expressed these views at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Monday. Dr Obaidullah, Dr Firdous Khan, Dr Irfanullah were present, among others.

Hayatabad Medical Complex Associate Professor Dr Tamheedullah said, “The construction work on the project that included a 120-bed trauma centre and a burn ward commenced in 2009 but it was abandoned due to lack of funds.”  He added, “The project still needs an estimated Rs2 billion to make it functional.”

Not equipped

Tamheedullah pointed out, “Each year, 5,000 cases of burn injuries are reported at major hospitals in the city. Trained doctors and nurses are available to provide treatment but there is no specific unit or hospital for them.” The provincial government has established burn units at Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital and other medical facilities but they lack the capacity to treat patients.

The HMC professor added they have raised the issue with the K-P chief minister, who promised to address the matter but no progress was made.

Senior plastic surgeon Muhammad Tahir pointed out, “There is a misconception that burn units are only for plastic surgery.”

He maintained most injuries are related to bomb blasts, gas explosions and fire injuries. Tahir added, “Burn treatment is a specialised field that needs [tailored] units and equipment.”

According to the plastic surgeon, the German Embassy has established small centres to treat burns patients in Dir, Bannu and Chitral. He commented, “Unlike our government, Germany is more eager to provide help in this regard.”

Meanwhile, the doctors announced the 21st annual conference of Pakistan Burns Association will be held in Peshawar starting March 24.

They added training workshops for young plastic surgeons will also be held on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2016.