RAHIM YAR KHAN: The social security department seems to be least interested in completion of a hospital in Rahim Yar Khan as two years have passed since work on the project was stopped.

The Rs90 million social security hospital had been approved in 2012-13 for 25,000 registered industrial labourers of the district.

A piece of five acre land was purchased in Akramabad near Muslim Chowk National Highway for the 50-bed hospital. Work on the project was started and by the end of 2013 construction was stopped after building a boundary wall.

Almost 1,500 registered industrial units contribute approximately Rs15 million monthly to the social security department. There are nine different dispensaries working under the management of social security department where the industrial labourers get first aid or basic health facilities and travel a distance of 300 kilometers to visit social security hospital in Multan.

According to some social security department sources, high-ups are not taking interest in completion of the project. They say the project will not only facilitate the industrial labourers of the district but work force from neighbouring Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan areas will also get benefit from the project.

When contacted R Y Khan Social Security Director (Medical) Dr Muhammad Afzal said he did not know about the actual reason for delay in the project “but there is no budget issue.”

He said: “There are sufficient funds for the construction of the hospital. The transfer and posting of commissioners may be the one reason for the delay. PC-1 was sent four months back but not approved yet. The construction work will start after its approval from Lahore.”

He said the Rs15 million monthly recovery target from industries declined to Rs12m to Rs13m.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2015

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