THQ hospital passes 32 years without basic facilities

Lack of doctors, nurses, equipment leaves locals at mercy of private clinics

NURPUR THAL: The tehsil headquarters hospital (THQ), the only such institution in the area, was built in 1988 and was included among 15 model hospitals in Punjab by the previous government but is still not functioning adequately.

Nurpur Thal was granted the status of a tehsil in 1982, but has been deprived of basic health facilities for 38 years.

The population of 400,000, comprising 84 villages, relies on this hospital alone, but the conditions here have been deteriorating.

Despite expenses of millions of rupees on the building and renovation, the THQ hospital lacks specialist doctors. Due to this, the underprivileged are forced to get treated in expensive private hospitals.

Reportedly, there are 28 sanctioned posts of specialist doctors, while only two are serving at the THQ hospital. Likewise, there are only two lady doctors against a requirement of 25.

Apparently, both the lady doctors were appointed last week as a result of efforts of the MNA from the area, Malik Ehsanullah Tiwana. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Tiwana said he was in contact with Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid for improving the situation.

He said the shortage of doctors in the hospital would be addressed soon and additional funds would be allocated to ensure timely health care for local people.

As per sources, 29 medical officers are required but only seven are serving in the hospital. The hospital also has a severe shortage of nurses. Only 10 nurses are working against 33 posts, which is insufficient to cater to the population of more than 400,000.

Moreover, no lady health visitors, midwives and gynaecologists have been appointed.

The women of the tehsil face severe problems because of lack of access to specialist doctors.

Out of the total 120 posts in the hospital, only 21 are filled, while about 100 are vacant.

When the lady doctors are not on duty, the women of the area have no choice but to go to private hospitals.

Steps have been taken to make functional the eight dialysis machines that were installed in the hospital two years ago. However, the hospital also faces the problem of irregular power supply.

Khushab District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Wajid Ali Shah said surgeries were often delayed because of the unavailability of specialist doctors at the THQ hospital. “There is also a shortage of anesthesia, for which we have forwarded requests many times. Advertisements have also been published for the recruitment of specialist doctors but no doctor is willing to serve here,” said the CEO.

He maintained that it is the government's responsibility to ensure the appointment of doctors on vacant posts at the THQ hospital.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2020.