PESHAWAR, May 9: Taking notice of alleged irregularities in Fata’s Jamrud Hospital, NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman has ordered an enquiry into its affairs. During a presentation on Fata’s health department at the Governor House on Monday, the governor said that he had received a number of public complaints regarding alleged irregularities at the hospital. Those found guilty will be dealt with sternly, he warned.

He said that corruption in any Fata department, particularly health and education, will not be tolerated. “There is no place for irresponsible and corrupt officials in Fata,” the governor warned, adding that such officials would be shown the door.

He said the provision of healthcare facilities to the poor people of far-flung areas should be the priority of health officials.

He said that he would be personally monitoring the performance and activities of officials through different means and take action upon noticing cases of pilferage, irregularity or negligence in duty.

While reviewing the healthcare facilities, he directed officials to rationalize the expenditure and ensure that a major part of the outlay went to the development sector. The non-development expenditure should be minimized, he said.

He directed the officials managing the affairs of mobile hospitals to look into the possibility of reducing staff strength. He said that the services of medical staff available at the agency level should be utilized.

While describing the Institution Based Practice (IBP) as good, he said it would continue in Fata. He directed the officials to ensure its full implementation.

The governor said that in the future, the construction of health facilities in Fata should be carried out in keeping with master plans.

While reviewing treatment facilities for certain disabling diseases like Leprosy, he directed the officials to trace their root causes and arrange for their adequate treatment.

He said that a cost-effective way was to strengthen grass-root institutions providing healthcare to the people at their doorstep. The people would not take the trouble of going to faraway places if treatment facilities were available in their locality, he said.

He also laid emphasis on making the Population Welfare Program more effective and efficient in Fata, saying the Ulema and educated people should be actively involved in the effort. The population growth rate in Fata was alarming which must be brought down by creating mass awareness, he said.

During the presentation, the governor was informed that Rs424 million were being spent on health-related developments in Fata where 113 projects were under implementation.

In all, 665 health institutions of different cadres were available in Fata, including 6 Agency Headquarters Hospitals, 4 Tehsil Headquarters hospitals, 300 dispensaries and 168 basic health units.

The presentation covered some important ongoing programmes, including mobile hospitals, population welfare program, TB control programme, Expanded Programme of Immunization and Aids Control Programme.

Fata’s director health Dr Mohammad Ali Chohan made the presentation.