Female doctors unavailable at night

Letter March 22, 2017
The private clinic was nearby but the situation there was not encouraging so I rushed towards Bannu Women’s Hospital

LAKKI MARWAT: On the night of March 16, I drove my expectant wife to the Serai Naurang Hospital in Lakki Marwat to deliver our baby boy. Doctors at the hospital looked upon us with shock when we requested a female doctor. They said no female doctors worked there at night. The doctors later told me that the only lady doctor was away for Umrah. When I asked for a substitute, they told me to take the matter up with the district health officer but they were kind enough to refer me to a private doctor. At that moment, I cursed myself and all the friends who said that all was well now with hospitals and education in the PTI government’s control.

The private clinic was nearby but the situation there was not encouraging so I rushed towards Bannu Women’s Hospital. When we reached there, we were welcomed by a very cooperative staff. I never voted for Akram Durrani, Maulana Fazlur Rahman or their party and have no intention to vote for them in the future but the people there with their respective patients were all glorifying Akram Durrani for his service to Bannu and the hospital. Our total hospital charges were Rs240.

Patients from Serai Naurang, Ghazni Khel, Takhti Khel, Pezu, and even Lakki Marwat visit Bannu Hospital, especially at night due to the absence of doctors in their hospitals. I want to bring to the notice of the Lakki Marwat public that we really are lagging behind in basic human facilities, which might help us in experiencing a better world than the one we currently live in. Basic human facilities are our right. Vote for whoever you want, but please bring to the notice of your representatives that people need to be provided with basic facilities.

Hamayun Ali Shah

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2017.

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