THE World Health Organisation defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. In this modern world, when developed countries are working on advanced medical treatments and procedures to cure patients and improve their mental and social health, the government here fails to provide basic healthcare facilities to its people.

Though the government that came to power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the 2013 elections did well in the health sector by upgrading hospitals, providing qualified staff and constructing new hospitals, it ignored Lower Dir, a district in Malakand division, in all its healthcare initiatives.

Hospitals and basic health units (BHUs) in Lower Dir lack basic facilities. There is a shortage of staff, particularly in terms of pathologists and radiologists for females, lack of equipment and essential medicines, vaccines, a limited testing facility in laboratories and poor disposal system for medical waste and garbage. While five districts are dependent on DHQ Hospital, Timergara, it can only cater to one district with its limited facilities and resources.

The government inaugurated Timergara Medical College (TMC) in 2015 and upgraded the DHQ Hospital, Timergara, to category A hospital which means a hospital having all basic and advanced healthcare facilities to serve the community. That is not the case with DHQ, Timergara. Besides, the government has failed to make TMC functional to date.

The healthcare system in Lower Dir is disappointing, to say the least. Despite having authority, officials and representatives of people have failed to resolve these issues. The situation of local hospitals is worse than the DHQ hospital.

Rehan Ullah Tajikzai

Lower Dir

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2021