BATTAGRAM: The provincial health department on Friday upgraded the district headquarters hospital, Battagram, to category-B from category-C.

Chief Minister Mahmood Khan had already made an announcement in this regard during his recent visit to Battagram district.

DHQ hospital medical superintendent Dr Syed Naser Shah told this scribe that the health department had issued a notification to this effect.

He said that special secretary health and DG health services had also visited the DHQ hospital building and analysed the situation for its expansion. He said that they had observed that three to four more wards could be established on the hospital area after its upgradation.

Mr Shah said that this hospital not only cater to the patients from Battagram, but also providing health services to the people of Torghar, Shangla, Kohistan and Kolai Palas districts.

He said that the bedding capacity of the hospital would be increased from 210 to 250 besides introducing four more specialties. He said that now people would not need to travel to other districts for specialised health facilities.

Published in Dawn,May 21st, 2022