In Swat BHU, one missing doctor and a host of problems

Locals forced to go to far-off health units, say a lot of patients die on the way.

SWAT:

Patients in Swat are suffering, since the only doctor appointed at the Bishbanr Basic Health Unit (BHU) has been missing for the past two months. They have demanded the health authorities to appoint a new doctor at the BHU and to ensure that at least one medical practitioner is available at the health unit at all times to treat patients.

“Provision of medical facilities is the duty of the state, but it seems that our government is unaware of this,” said Akbar Hussain, a resident of Bishbanr. He said that due to the absence of the only doctor at the BHU in his area, locals are left with no option but to travel long distances to visit health units in neighbouring areas.

“But out problems don’t end here. Because there is no public transport in our area, we have to carry patients for over four kilometres to reach an area where there is transport,” said Hussain, adding that many patients die during these journeys. He added that at times, private vehicles are hired to transport serious patients, but given the area’s hilly terrain it gets difficult them to make the long bumpy journey.

Syed Sajjad Ahmad, a local social activist said due to the absence of a doctor at the Bishbanr BHU, a majority of the patients of the union council visit the nearest dispensary located at Teligram for treatment. However, bearing the cost of the journey takes a toll on the pockets of the locals, around 80 per cent of whom live below the poverty line, said Ahmad. He said that for patients in need of immediate medical aid, private vehicles are usually hired to take them to a nearby hospital. “For a majority of these poor people, who can barely afford two meals a day, hiring a private vehicle for their patients is a luxury few can afford,” he added.

When contacted, Imran Khan, the monitoring officer of People’s Primary Health Care Initiative (PPHI) - the sole authority that monitors all BHUs in Swat - said the doctor in charge of the Bishbanr BHU is not absent from duty but has resigned. He said the doctor was appointed on an ad-hoc position and he tendered his resignation to the director general of health sometime back. Khan said that once the doctor’s resignation is finalised, the health department will appoint a new doctor at the post. He added that the Bishbanr BHU is equipped with the required medicines and ancillary staff to treat patients.

The shortage of qualified physicians in rural areas of Swat is nothing new. Officials of the health department said the shortage persists because doctors prefer to work in urban areas where they can run private clinics after duty hours. They said the only solution for the shortage is to increase salaries and allowances of medical officers who perform duties in rural or remote areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2012.