Health units face closure

Court intervenes with stay order, suspends closure notices of 11 dispensaries

RAWALPINDI:

The District Health Authority has closed down 11 dispensaries in various union councils of Rawalpindi, citing a severe financial crisis and deeming them a significant burden on the provincial exchequer.

This decision, however, has been challenged in court. Civil Judge Zufshan Anjum has suspended the health department's order to close the dispensaries and issued a notice to the chief executive officer (CEO) of the District Health Authority and the district health officer, summoning them to appear in court on July 30 with a response.

The dispensaries affected by the closure include District Kacheri Dispensary, Dhok Farman Ali Dispensary, Ward 6 Ahmedabad Dispensary, Wilayatabad Dispensary, Sarajia Park Dispensary, Garja Dispensary, Kalyan Dispensary, Kanuha Dispensary, Lahri Dispensary, and Pathiwar Dispensary.

Meanwhile, officials said the health department's decision was driven by a severe shortage of funds, which made the maintenance of these dispensaries unsustainable.

Following the closure order, all staff members posted at these dispensaries were instructed to be transferred immediately to the nearest tehsil headquarters hospital or primary health centres.

Furthermore, all medicines, furniture, medical equipment, and other assets from the closed dispensaries were to be submitted to the nearest hospital.

Samina Jadoon Advocate, a former PML-N Member of the Provincial Assembly and a member of the High Court Bar Association, has taken legal action against the health department's decision. Advocate Jadoon argued that District Kacheri Dispensary sees 15,000 to 20,000 patients daily, including 10,000 lawyers, court staff, and staff from attached government offices. She contended that discontinuing the dispensary at Kacheri would be a significant loss.

Advocate Jadoon emphasised that providing free and urgent medical facilities is a constitutional obligation of the government. She highlighted the difficulties faced by patients who need immediate medical attention, arguing that transferring them to a hospital after an incident can be challenging and time-consuming.

She urged the court to annul the closure order and appoint a regular BBS doctor to each dispensary.