Bahawalpur dispensaries bereft of medicine

DHO Bahawalpur claims some dispensaries have already been provided medicines

BAHAWALPUR:  

Around 58 rural health dispensaries in Bahawalpur district had been running without medicines for the last two years. On the other hand, as many as eight such facilities were closed due to the lack of staff, sources said.

Painkillers and bandages were not available at these centres and several lacked the basic facilities like water and electricity, they said. In rural areas, the staff at dispensaries was working without medical supplies and patients had no choice but to travel long distances for treatment.

According to the district government, these rural health dispensaries were built to provide medical facilities to rural communities. Also, more than 50% of the buildings were in a crumbling state. Most of the dispensaries lacked electricity, restrooms and drinking water.

Some on-duty dispensers said the government used to provide medicines once in a year, but the limited quantities lasted just two months. Over the past two years, the annual delivery had not been made. As a result, the dispensary staff looked to donors to help buy medicines.

In 2013, the health executive district officer (EDO) ordered the district health officer (DHO) Bahawalpur to submit a report on the situation of the buildings as well as shortage of staff and medicines at rural health dispensaries. Meanwhile, the Bahawalpur deputy commissioner directed the finance and planning division to present a proposal for the restoration of rural dispensaries, provision of medicine and the filling of vacant posts for medical staff. To this effect, a letter was also sent to the EDO finance and planning by the DCO, but the buck stopped there.

DHO Bahawalpur Dr Zeeshan Rauf told The Express Tribune that rural health dispensaries were earlier working under the district government. However, now the health chief executive officer (CEO) has taken over the facilities. He claimed that some dispensaries had already been provided medicines and the others would be supplied the same in the next phase. He said there was a delay due to the shortage of funds, adding that the buildings would be restored in the coming months.