January 11, 2006	Wednesday	Zilhaj 10, 1426

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PESHAWAR, Jan 10: Health workers engaged in relief activities in earthquake areas of the NWFP are suffering from fatigue, doctors and nurses told Dawn. “I have been working in Balakot since Oct 12. During this period, I have visited my family in Peshawar only thrice. I feel homesick”, said, a doctor working with a UN agency. He said that he and his colleagues had celebrated Eidul Fitr in Abbottabad and would be again there during the Eidul Azha.

The doctor said that he was compensated for his stay in the quake zone in terms of money, but he missed his children and family members.

A staff nurse, who has been deputed by the health department to a field hospital in Mansehra, said that it was her second stint in the area. “First, I stayed here for 15 days, but I was sent by the department for the second time despite my bad health”, said a 45-year-old nurse. She said that her two children aging seven and 10 were also suffering from acute respiratory infection, for which she remained worried.

She also complained that most of her colleagues in Peshawar’s hospitals had been spared because of their connections with the higher authorities at the directorate of health. A technician, who is preparing to leave for Abbottabad a day ahead of Eid, said that this was his third trip to the area.

“First I went to Battagram on Oct 10 where I stayed for 10 days. I was again sent by the department on Nov 20 for one week and now leaving for Manshera right now”, he said.

Many doctors, health workers, nurses and employees of the international donor organisations interviewed by this correspondent, said they felt utter fatigue because of the lingering relief work.

Aid workers associated with agencies distributing food items among the quake survivors are also feeling discomfort due to their prolonged stay.