MANSEHRA: The residents of Khubal area in Oghi tehsil have warned that they will take to the streets if the posts of male and female doctors and midwives lying vacant at a local basic health unit for two years are not filled within a week.

Mohammad Umar told reporters on Saturday that the works and communication department had handed over the building of Khubal basic health unit to the health department two years ago but the latter had failed to post key staff members to the misery of the residents.

“Pregnant women are worst hit by vacancies as the basic health unit doesn’t offer obstetric services,” he said.

Another resident, Mohammad Riaz, said currently, the basic health unit had only one medical technician and a low-grade staff member.

Khubal residents say pregnant women worst hit by staff shortage

“If the health department doesn’t fill the posts of both male and female doctors, female medical technician and midwives, we, the residents, will block the Oghi-Mansehra Road until appointments are made,” he warned.

MAN KILLS WIFE: A man killed his wife in the name of honour in Sobunr area of Torghar district early on Saturday.

Police investigation officer Mohammad Naeem told reporters on Saturday that the suspected killer, Mohammad Latif, would be held soon.

He said search for the suspect had been launched after the registration of an FIR.

DEATH SENTENCE: Additional district and sessions judge Syed Asghar Shah awarded death sentence and Rs500,000 fine to a man for killing his schoolteacher wife in 2017.

The court, however, ordered the release of two co-accused, including convict Dildar Arshad’s mother, Sakina Bibi, and sister Gulzar Bibi.

SPORTS GALA: The annual Torghar inter-schoolsports festival concluded in Judbah area on Saturday.

Students of 10 high and higher secondary schools and 22 middle schools took part in competitions.

Deputy commissioner of Torghar Mansoor Arshad appreciated the remarkable sporting talents of participants.

He said co-curricular activities were as necessary as curricular ones for the development of students.

The deputy commissioner gave away shields, trophies and certificates to the winning teams and individuals.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2019