Residents of Khwaza Khela Tehsil have expressed concern over the absence of doctors in their local government hospital. They claim that some of the doctors posted at Government Tehsil Hospital Khwaza Khela remain absent from duty so they can run private clinics in the area.
Mohmmad Zarin, a resident of Chamtalai village, told The Express Tribune that when he brought his daughter who had been suffering from hay fever for the past three days to the hospital, he was told that the concerned doctor would be available at his private clinic, even during duty hours. “I am a day labourer with meagre mean; I can’t afford medical treatments at private clinics,” he remarked.
But Zarin is not alone in this problem, as a majority of people who live in the area are also poor and work either in the fields or as day labourers.
“This is absurd,” said Afareen Khan, a day labourer from Bandai area, “I earn Rs300 a day, which is not even enough to provide two meals for my family, and [the doctors] expect us to pay high fees for medical treatment,” he remarked.
Patients complained that due to lack of doctors, they have to either wait for hours at the hospital’s out-patient department or spend extra on transportation to visit hospitals in neighbouring areas.
Samad Khan, a social activist of Khwazakhela, said that due to absence of doctors patients with serious illnesses usually visit the Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital, while those with minor ailments go back to their villages. He said those who opt for going to the teaching hospital in Saidu Sharif have to bear transport as well as accommodation costs. “Hence, given the lack of cheaper alternatives, some patients are forced to visit private clinics,” he added.
He demanded the health authorities to ensure presence of doctors at the hospital and to appoint more medical staff to facilitate patients.
When contacted, Government Tehsil Hospital Khwaza Khela’s Medical Superintend Dr Mohammad Saleem underscored that doctors cannot do private practice during duty hours. “I have warned them before and I warn them now, if they violate duty rules, they will be penalised,” said Dr Saleem. The medical superintendent said he will pay surprise visits to the hospital and take action against any doctor absent from duty.
Dr Saleem said the hospital is already understaffed as four doctors are appointed there instead of allotted posts of eight doctors. He said he has requested the authorities concerned and elected public representatives to appoint more doctors at the hospital, “but they only promise verbally”.
He claimed that the shortage exists because a lot of doctors who get appointed here use their political influence to get transferred to others hospitals in Mingora city or to their desired locations.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2012.
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