PESHAWAR, Nov 14: Lawmakers on Tuesday asked the government to ensure supply of anti-rabies and anti-snake-bite vaccines to health centres of the province.

During the question hour, MPA Mohammad Amin raised the issue of non-availability of anti-rabies and anti-snake-bite vaccines in Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital and in open market in Swat.

He said that many people had died owing to non-availability of vaccines in public and private sector hospitals. Members from both the treasury and opposition benches also supported the move and pointed out that sub-standard vaccines had been produced in the market.

Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan who was presiding over the proceedings said that snake-biting and dog-biting were very common in the province and asked the related department to make arrangements for the provision of vaccines in public sector hospitals.

Health Minister Inayatullah Khan replying to the questions said that no public sector hospital had placed order for the supply of these vaccines. He, however, said that he would direct the health department to look into the issue.

MPA Muzaffar Syed raised the issue of lack of female radiographers and X-ray technicians in public sector hospitals of the province.

The minister concerned acknowledged that qualified female paramedics, particularly radiographers and X-ray technicians were not available in hospitals and only male technicians were performing X-ray of female patients.

He said that the government was likely to arrange training classes for female technicians at the Post Graduate Medical Institute, Peshawar, while establishment of paramedic institute for women would also be included in the next annual development programme.

Female members Rifat Akbar Swati and Shagufta Naz complained that health department had provided incomplete answers of their questions.

Shagufta Naz pointed out that a foreign NGO had constructed a hospital in Swabi Mera, a remote area of Haripur district, but health department had failed to appoint medical staff there.