Health centre struggles sans medics

Dispenser prescribes medicines while residents travel to Pindi for treatment

RAWALPINDI:

The Maryam Nawaz Health Centre in Chhab, Jand tehsil of Attock district, has been without doctors for a prolonged period, forcing a dispenser to examine patients and prescribe medicines, while several patients have started travelling to hospitals in Rawalpindi for treatment.

Six doctor posts at the 40-kanal health centre remain vacant. A doctor appointed temporarily reportedly worked for only 20 days before proceeding on leave. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Health, Attock, allegedly allowed the only available doctor to go on leave without arranging a replacement, leaving the healthcare system at the centre virtually paralysed.

Residents and relatives of patients, including Faisal Mushtaq, Ghyoor Ahmed and Zareena Bibi, urged Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the Health Department to immediately fill all vacant posts and ensure that alternative doctors are provided whenever an appointed doctor goes on leave.

More than Rs30 million has reportedly been spent on upgrading the centre this year, but several facilities remain dysfunctional. The hospital's transformer is faulty, resulting in single-phase electricity. Patients are consequently unable to use the X-ray facility despite the machine being available.

Residents demanded that the hospital administration immediately submit the required demand notice to IESCO for repair of the transformer. A solar power system has also been installed at the hospital, but its connection has yet to be provided.

Patients also demanded restoration of the contract of Dr Mansoor, who had served at the hospital for 15 years before his contract expired and was not renewed. They said the doctor should be retained until new appointments are made, while doctors recruited against the area quota should be transferred to Chhab Health Centre.