According to a document available with The Express Tribune, the health sector in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) would receive more than 10% of the Rs15.372 billion total development outlay for the tribal belt. It is the third highest allocation for a sector after education and communication.
The health budget would be spent on 51 ongoing and 39 new health schemes in the current financial year, for which Rs1.03 billion and Rs635.165 million were allocated, respectively.
As many as 16 new schemes were proposed for 2014-15 under the All Fata Programme and were designed to strengthen health directorates, establish comprehensive eye care services in the tribal areas and physical rehabilitation centres, apart from improving existing facilities. Also proposed was the launch of phase-II of the hepatitis control programme, establishment of thalassemia centers in AHQ hospitals, upgrading family welfare centres, a mobile hospitals programme, a tuberculosis control programme and medical scholarships for students from tribal areas.
Similarly, ongoing schemes would be completed under the All Fata Programme. These include three in Khyber Agency, five in Mohmand, four in FR DI Khan, five in South Waziristan, three in North Waziristan and five in Kurram Agency in the current fiscal year.
Of the total 39 new schemes proposed in the Annual Development Programme 2014-15, nine would be initiated under the All Fata Programme, and the remaining 30 would be launched in the respective tribal agencies on a need basis.
South Waziristan Agency leads the way with 13 fresh projects, while Bajaur, Mohmand and Orakzai will get two new schemes each. All the Frontier Regions will get one new scheme each in the current fiscal year.
Fata planners proposed strengthening the health delivery system and EPI programme in the tribal region, facilitating the polio eradication drive, special packages for health staffers, a health nutrition setup in the FRs, standardisation of dentistry in AHQ hospitals and incentives for nursing students.
The programmes for South Waziristan include the establishment of labour suites in existing health facilities, upgrading four civil dispensaries to CHCs in open areas, upgradinga civil dispensary in Mehsud and the establishment of Category D hospitals in Thanak, Makin and Sarwakai.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Fata Secretariat Director Information and Spokesperson Fazlullah said based on the instructions of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan and Fata Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Muhammad Azam Khan, the health budget has been increased and 60% of it would be focused on ongoing schemes, while 40% would be spent on new projects.
He said the Fata ACS directed officials in tribal areas to expedite work and provide health care to tribesmen at their doorsteps.
Breakup of FATA health budget for major projects
Bajaur Agency: Rs183.601 million
Mohmand agency: Rs171.671 million
Khyber Agency: Rs175.165 million
FR Peshawar: Rs14.078 million
Kurram Agency: Rs78.002 million
Orakzai Agency: Rs41.929 million
FR Kohat: Rs11.336 million
North Waziristan: Rs96.475 million
FR Bannu: Rs11.276 million
FR Lakki Marwat: Rs5.316 million
South Waziristan: Rs162.591 million
FR Tank: Rs14 million
FR DI Khan: Rs37.069 million
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2014.
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