PESHAWAR: The German Ambassador to Pakistan, Ms Ina Lepel, inaugurated the newly-upgraded radiology department at the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) here on Tuesday.

The facility will benefit around 100 patients daily.

The upgraded radiology department is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany through the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (Safron), the Commissionerate of Afghan Refugees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and UNHCR under the joint government and the UN’s Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (Raha) initiative.

The total cost of the project is Rs18.96 million whereas the total fund provided to KTH under the Raha programme is Rs58.11 million.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ms Ina Lepel commended the unprecedented work of KTH in providing specialised medical care and treatment to thousands of underprivileged patients, including Afghan refugees for over three decades in the province.

UNHCR head of sub-office, Peshawar, Jacques Franquin, additional commissioner Waqar Maroof, hospital director Dr Nadeem Khawar, medical director Dr Farman Ali and KTH radiology department head Dr Inayat Shah Roghani were also present on the occasion.

The department lacks modern equipment to screen patients efficiently and effectively.

This project is aimed at replacing the current standard (analogue) X-ray machine with digital X-ray equipment for improved quality and accurate diagnosis. All administrative arrangements, including installation, space and power sources, will be the responsibility of KTH.

“Raha seeks to increase tolerance towards Afghan refugees in Pakistan, improve social cohesion to promote co-existence and to provide both the host communities and Afghan refugees with development and humanitarian assistance,” said Jacques Franquin. Mr Maroof appreciated the assistance from the government of Germany and UNHCR to facilitate the hospital management.

He said that the Raha programme was being implemented in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through the Safron ministry to develop the infrastructure in the KP districts, which had been worn down as a result of the long stay of Afghan refugees.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2015