NAROWAL: Unidentified thieves broke into the Mallah village Basic Health Unit (BHU) at Shakargah and allegedly took away goods, including medical equipment, worth millions, as the facility has been without a watchman for the last five years.

As per initial inquiries by the local health authorities, unidentified thieves entered the BHU premises by scaling the boundary wall and broke the locks of the main door of the building to get access to its main hall and rooms.

The thieves took away various items, including an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) unit, batteries, solar system, fans, electric heaters, nebuliser, and oxygen cylinders worth millions of rupees from the BHU, the authorities claim.

Interestingly, the “thieves” also destroyed the BHU record, including the stock register, besides removing the electric supply wires of the facility. BHU Medical Technician Mr Rafique says the facility had been without a watchman for the last five years, since the retirement of the last watchman.

Narowal District Health Authority (DHA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Khalid Javed says a report on the theft incident has been sought from Dr Asad Afzal, who is in-charge of the Mallah BHU and a probe has been initiated into the theft appointing District Health Officer Dr Zahid Randhawa as inquiry officer.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2022