Upping social infrastructure: FATA Secretariat launches 20 new health projects

Renewed emphasis on solar energy to tackle electricity shortage.

PESHAWAR:

In an effort to provide basic health facilities to people living across the tribal belt, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) Secretariat has launched 20 new development projects.

The development schemes will reportedly cost Rs396.176 million and are part of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2013-14, reveals an official document of the ADP.

From a pool of Rs1.66 billion, Rs1.17 billion has been allocated for 118 ongoing projects and Rs396.18 million for 20 new healthcare schemes in the seven tribal agencies and six Frontier Regions (FR), it states.

New hostels, medical instruments and furniture worth Rs68.69 million will be provided to Agency Headquarters Hospital, Landikotal in Khyber Agency. Similarly, new male and female wards will be constructed at Agency Headquarters Hospital, Khar in Bajaur Agency at a cost of Rs53 million.

In a move to encourage alternative forms of energy, Rs37.74 million will be provided to Agency Headquarters Hospital of Mohmand Agency for solar power equipment, while Rs17.5 million will be spent on reconstructing damaged health centres in the agency. Solar panels will also be installed at Type-D hospitals at an additional cost of Rs26.77 million.

Health department’s deputy director at the FATA Secretariat, Dr Ikhtiyar Khan said providing solar power to hospitals in Fata will help health centres cope with electricity shortage, due to which both doctors and patients suffer.

Identical solar power schemes will be carried out at Agency Headquarters Hospital in Parachinar, Sadda of Kurram Agency and several other health facilities across South and North Waziristan.

A civil hospital will be established in FR Tank, in addition to procuring laboratory equipment and an ambulance for Civil Hospital, Jandola at an estimated cost of Rs11.56 million.

Ikhtiyar claimed the health budget has increased by 11% compared to previous years, but its main focus has been to construct new hospitals. “It would be better to allocate a special amount for free medicines because people in the tribal areas are poor and cannot afford them,” he added.

He cited the deteriorating security situation in Fata as the main reason for lack of basic facilities and shortage of doctors. “Doctors are reluctant to perform their duties in Fata because of security concerns.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2013.