Edhi authorities await response for centres in two districts
Officals say they needed space in facilities of Swat, Kohat.
An attendant stands at the reception where people come to register bodies. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
Although Edhi Foundation had been repeatedly asking hospitals to set up centres in Kohat and Swat, administrations at various health facilities in both districts have yet to give a practical shape to these requests.
Officials told The Express Tribune Edhi Foundation has been offering services in all the districts of K-P, just as it has been doing in other parts of the country. However, operations at Saidu Teaching Hospital were suspended after the hospitals’ management told Edhi Foundation the facility would be expanded.
“According to our rules, we remove our setup within 24 hours once we are told to wind up in case there is an expansion or construction,” Mehmoodul Hassan, an Edhi Foundation official, told
The Express Tribune.
He added they wanted to carry on with their activities at Saidu Teaching Hospital but the facility’s administration was not responding.
“We had a setup but we had to suspend our activities after we were told about expansion in the hospital,” Hassan said. “Now, even after the [expansion has been completed] and repeated requests, the hospital administration does not seem to be in favour of the centre at the facility.”
Similar issues have surfaced regarding the centre in Kohat. Although it has been set up on a roadside, activities remain in
full swing.
Hassan said although activities are being carried out at the Kohat centre, Edhi Foundation authorities want to establish a permanent centre equipped with the necessary facilities. He added a request was made to Liaqat Memorial Hospital for space. However, they have yet to receive a response.
Other than Swat and Kohat, a health official said a centre would be established in Swabi as Minister for Health Shahram Khan Tarakai has promised space for a centre at Gaju Khan Hospital of the district. The official requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
An Edhi centre provides ambulance services but it requires space for running its functions since they need at least two people at the office, besides a telephone for the public’s access. When asked, Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Law Arif Yousaf said talks were under way with Edhi Foundation officials and the facilities will soon be made functional in Swat, Kohat and Swabi.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2016.
Although Edhi Foundation had been repeatedly asking hospitals to set up centres in Kohat and Swat, administrations at various health facilities in both districts have yet to give a practical shape to these requests.
Officials told The Express Tribune Edhi Foundation has been offering services in all the districts of K-P, just as it has been doing in other parts of the country. However, operations at Saidu Teaching Hospital were suspended after the hospitals’ management told Edhi Foundation the facility would be expanded.
“According to our rules, we remove our setup within 24 hours once we are told to wind up in case there is an expansion or construction,” Mehmoodul Hassan, an Edhi Foundation official, told
The Express Tribune.
He added they wanted to carry on with their activities at Saidu Teaching Hospital but the facility’s administration was not responding.
“We had a setup but we had to suspend our activities after we were told about expansion in the hospital,” Hassan said. “Now, even after the [expansion has been completed] and repeated requests, the hospital administration does not seem to be in favour of the centre at the facility.”
Similar issues have surfaced regarding the centre in Kohat. Although it has been set up on a roadside, activities remain in
full swing.
Hassan said although activities are being carried out at the Kohat centre, Edhi Foundation authorities want to establish a permanent centre equipped with the necessary facilities. He added a request was made to Liaqat Memorial Hospital for space. However, they have yet to receive a response.
Other than Swat and Kohat, a health official said a centre would be established in Swabi as Minister for Health Shahram Khan Tarakai has promised space for a centre at Gaju Khan Hospital of the district. The official requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
An Edhi centre provides ambulance services but it requires space for running its functions since they need at least two people at the office, besides a telephone for the public’s access. When asked, Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Law Arif Yousaf said talks were under way with Edhi Foundation officials and the facilities will soon be made functional in Swat, Kohat and Swabi.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2016.