April 2, 2003	Wednesday	Muharram 29, 1424

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GUJAR KHAN, April 1: Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) hospital, Sohawa, is facing shortage of staff, depriving people of proper health care facilities.

Residents of the area told this reporter that Sohawa health centre was upgraded to THQ hospital several years ago, but the hospital failed to offer the required services.

A resident said the hospital was supposed to provide treatment facilities to the entire population of the Tehsil, but patients faced difficulties due to shortage of paramedical staff.

A medical officer, when contacted, said only two nurses were performing daytime duty at the 50-bed hospital. At least eight nurses are required to work in three shifts round the clock, he added.

He further said, out of seven posts of medical officers, four were lying vacant. Similarly, only one woman medical officer (WMO) is working at the hospital, while the second post of WMO is lying vacant, he added.

According to the medical officer, there is no paediatrician, ENT specialist, or surgeon in the THQ hospital.

He said due to lack of proper residential facilities and unavailability of potable water, officers avoided to be posted at the hospital.

The contractors stopped the development work about two months ago due to unknown reasons, he added.