Medics remain absent citing transport issues, fearing militant attacks. PHOTO: HUMA CHOUDHARY/EXPRESS
A lack of staff, equipment and medicines is how a local health official defines the state of health centres in Darra Adam Khel, FR Kohat, around 35 miles on the south of Peshawar. Since FR Kohat falls under the jurisdiction of FATA Secretariat, people of the region look up to it to end their miseries.
In house
As the authorities are indifferent, residents of the area have resorted to offering help to each other on voluntary basis, specifically in the health sector since health officials are reluctant to visit the area, fearing militant attacks.
“I was a government employee here but when I retired, there was no one to serve the people,” said Shah Alam, a retired medical technician at Malik Samand Khan No Cost Civil Dispensary. “Therefore, I continued after seeking permission from higher authorities.”
Alam also provides free medicines when the facility that he works for runs out of them. The dispensary is situated in the heart of Darra Adam Khel Bazaar. He requested authorities concerned for a lady health visitor and Class-IV employees so that the problems that are being faced by over 10,000 locals can be minimised.
Dr Naseem Civil Dispensary In-charge Khalid Farooq told The Express Tribune they were short of medicines earlier but it is not the same anymore since February 2015. However, his facility requires a midwife, he said, as it would help in treating female patients, who otherwise have to travel to Peshawar for treatment. “Around 50 people visit the facility daily.”
Roadblocks
Staff members at five other facilities, including basic health units, across FR Kohat said that besides the shortage of doctors, transportation is also an issue.
“Tor Chappar is an area visited by passenger vehicles after every three or four hours and one has to travel accordingly,” said an official, calling it a reason why they spend only around three hours at the health facility in the area.
However, situation at the civil hospital was better as compared to the civil dispensaries. “Besides the government, NGOs also help in running the hospital,” Dr Alif Jan at the hospital told The Express Tribune. “Moreover, cleanliness is our top priority.”
He added that they offer all the services, including laboratory tests, and even have a diagnostic centre for tuberculosis. “However, sterilisation is a basic problem due to the absence of electricity.” Besides hygiene issues, locals are reluctant to get their children vaccinated at the health facilities in FR Kohat because more often than not, injections expire due to the unavailability of a cold chain.
Moreover, majority of the pregnant women have to be rushed to Peshawar or Kohat city because here the surgical tools are not steriled, said a local Hasim Gul.
When contacted, Agency Surgeon Dr Nasir Jamal said that over 100 staffers were forced to report to their assigned health facilities. “A salary cut had to be ordered because majority of them were absent from their duties.”
Jamal said some of the staffers who skip work say they do not attend duties as they have been threatened by the militants while others put the blame on the lack of transport facilities. “Those who reasoned citing threats from militant outfits were told to return to duties as the armed forces have taken control of the area and hence security is ensured,” said Jamal.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2015.
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