KARACHI: Slow pace of relief work in quake-hit areas
KARACHI, Oct 6: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Friday expressed disappointment over the progress of relief work and 'failure of government' in rehabilitation and development of infrastructure in quake-affected areas of NWFP and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK).
A PMA release issued here said in the beginning of October a team of PMA doctors visited the earthquake areas after a year of tragedy and was impressed with the relief work of UN agencies but the government's relief activity disappointed them.
It said the PMA team did not find a single victim or house owner who had received compensation from the government.
It said it was also disappointing that the government of NWFP and government of Azad Jammu Kashmir had not able to develop a plan to activate the basic health units, rural health centres and taluka hospitals.
The PMA team also noted that district general hospitals were also not functioning.
The PMA thanked the relief workers of different organizations, NGOs, doctor, paramedical staffs, social workers and people who reached there immediately and worked hard in relief activities.
The PMA also thanked the Pakistanis living in the country, as well as abroad, and people of other countries who donated generously for the rehabilitation of earthquake affectees.
The PMA hoped that with the donation received from all over the world the government should give priority to the health of people and provide them with free primary and emergency healthcare facilities.—PPI
