The only thing which was visible from a distance was the red building. More than 12 capacious bungalows, well-mapped, were constructed for doctors with several small bungalows under construction, meant for nurses and paramedical staff. It gave a splendid view of architectural work. The material used and the project layout seemed to treat the medical staff with respect and dignity. A spacious building, being built for a hospital, was nearly completed.
But before the whole complex could have been completed; the doctors, nurses and the paramedical staff appointed; the beds and equipments installed and the basic health unit of Jam Nawaz Ali Health Centre shifted to the building, the then chief minister of Sindh, Jam Sadiq Ali, died.
With his death, the whole project collapsed, which began without keeping in view the future needs and practical consideration.
No money was allocated for the appointment of the staff and other financial requirements. The ad-hoc arrangements collapsed with the death of the most powerful chief minister of Sindh.
It was only started to appease the people, or to show that being a chief minister, he could build a mini-Aga Khan Hospital in the area. The complex was built, but health facilities to the poor masses were never extended.
After the death of Jam Sadiq, the contractor left the place, probably with a big profit. The guards were sacked and every removable thing was sold. Then came the turn of the local looters, who removed the wiring from the fittings. The tiles were removed and the rooms were used for anti-social activities.
Now the building is a haunting site. A modern Moenjodaro, you can say, that was built in a hurry and destroyed swiftly.
Millions of rupees from the provincial budget went down the drain. Many got their shares from the project. Two elected governments, came but none raised the issue.
The military-led government came and initiated accountability, but the matter was never taken up seriously.
Who started the project? Where was it approved? Who were responsible for selecting the site? Under what head was the money allocated? How was the contract awarded? How much money was paid? Who bought the instruments and where are they? Why did the contractor sneak away? Why was the building never handed over to the health department? Who is ultimately responsible for this scandalous wastage of money? What is the future for the complex and who will take the responsibility for its future? These are the questions that remained unanswered.
Our province faces a unique situation. The past governments had built basic health units and rural health centres under political influence. The prime minister or chief minister usually inaugurated the place without allocating budget for day-to-day needs. For a few weeks, people were usually posted there but later returned to their original posting.
More than 200 health facilities are existing in the province without any budget and staffing.
There should be a system so that no government can squander public wealth for personnel desires.
It is time that a task force be established in every province to check all the ghost centres. Real accountability should be initiated and all those involved in malpractice should be punished.
It is time that all those health facilities without staff and budget should be made functional.
The provincial government should take immediate action to revive the Jam Nawaz Ali Health Centre, as it would be tantamount to a crime to leave it without any purpose. We don’t need a modern Moenjodaro.
The following steps may help to revive the project: to establish it as a Taluka hospital and provide secondary -are facilities to the patients referred from BHUs and RHCs; the facility can be given to an NGO that can run the centre; Pakistan Navy is said to be interested in running the centre and this should be considered seriously.
We can only hope that the present Governor of Sindh, Ishratul Ibad, will do something about it.
The only thing which was visible from a distance was the red building. More than 12 capacious bungalows, well-mapped, were constructed for doctors with several small bungalows under construction, meant for nurses and paramedical staff. It gave a splendid view of architectural work. The material used and the project layout seemed to treat the medical staff with respect and dignity. A spacious building, being built for a hospital, was nearly completed.
