CHITRAL: The post of medical superintendent at district headquarters hospital, Chitral, has been lying vacant for the last 45 days after the retirement of Dr Israrullah in March that has created an administrative vacuum and problems for the patients.

A senior doctor of the hospital confided to this correspondent that due to absence of its head the hospital affairs had been affected adversely. He said that the DHQ hospital having two campuses separated from each other by one kilometre needed proper administration and leaving the post of its head unoccupied for a long period could affect the service delivery. The hospital is already facing shortage of specialists and general duty doctors.

He said that presently there was no authorised officer to discharge the duties of medical superintendent which could create complications in case of natural disaster or any other emergent situation.

Niaz Hussain Shah, an attendant of a patient admitted in the hospital, expressed his dissatisfaction over the facilities and the state of cleanliness in the ward during the past three days. He complained about unavailability of doctors and nursing staff in the ward and said that the hospital area was littered with solid waste and garbage.

POWER PROJECT: The micro hydropower project completed by Aga Khan Rural Support Programme under the special initiative of hydropower generation of the provincial government was commissioned to work in Kalash valley of Rumbur electrifying all its 300 households.

PTI MPA Wazir Zada inaugurated the powerhouse by turning the button on to light the bulb amid clapping of Kalash community.

The MPA said that the powerhouse was one of the 55 mini and micro hydropower houses which the previous provincial government of PTI had initiated in the district and it would generate 150 kilowatts of electricity.

He said that supply of electricity would lead to conservation of forest as the people would give up using wood for cooking and heating purposes. He said the government had also planned to promote tourism in Kalash valleys.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2019