KHAR: Provincial Minister for Health Dr Hisham Inamullah Khan has vowed to introduce drastic reforms in the health sector in tribal districts to provide quality healthcare facilities to people.

Addressing a a jirga during his first visit to Bajaur tribal district here on Monday, he announced to establish nursing and medical colleges in Bajaur tribal district, saying work on both colleges would start soon.

He said that government was aware of the problems being faced by the people of tribal districts.

Tribal elders, political and social activists and religious leaders attended the jirga.

The minister held previous governments responsible for the poor condition of health facilities in the tribal districts. He said that people of tribal districts would soon see improvement and change in all sectors, especially in healthcare services.

Vows to introduce drastic reforms in health sector

“Provincial government has planned to ensure better and modern healthcare facilities to the people of tribal districts,” he said.

The minister congratulated the participants of the jirga for successful merger of tribal districts with province and called it a historical step towards sustainable development of the areas.

He said that some people had reservations over the merger of tribal districts with province; however, they would witness visible improvement in their lives with passing of time.

The minister said that basic and modern facilities would be provided to every health units in Bajaur. He also announced extension of Independent Monitoring Unit (IMU) to Bajaur to ensure availability of doctors and other health professionals in the hospitals.

Earlier, the minister visited the district headquarters hospital in Khar and inspected its various sections. The local administration and health officials briefed him about the number of health units and doctors, equipments and other facilities in the hospital and others health units in the district.

Strict security arrangements were made for the visit of the minister to the tribal district. The administration deployed scores of Levies personnel at main Khar-Inayat Kallay Road. The security personnel remained at duty till departure of minister at about2pm.

Besides deployment of Levies personnel at different roads, strict security arrangements were also made at Civil Colony in Khar where the minister addressed a jirga. The administration banned entry of people to Civil Colony.

The residents of the area told Dawn that they were not allowed to walk on the road, leading to Civil Colony. They expressed anger over what they called extraordinary security provided to the provincial minister.

According to the residents, security arrangements caused troubles and difficulties to them. They said that they did not expect such a protocol and strict security during the visit of minister.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2019