NAROWAL: The children’s nursery ward at the Shakargarh Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital has remained non-functional for the last two years, leading to an increase in newborn deaths.

Despite Narowal being given district status 33 years ago and the establishment of a nursery ward at the Narowal District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in 2011, Shakargarh tehsil continues to lack basic health facilities.

Shakargarh tehsil, comprising over six hundred villages adjacent to international and working boundaries, is particularly affected. Pregnant women face severe difficulties due to the non-availability of a nursery ward. Complex cases requiring immediate treatment for newborns post-delivery are referred to Narowal or Lahore, often resulting in the death of the infants due to delayed treatment.

Former federal minister Daniyal Aziz Chaudhry had taken notice of the situation, prompting the Punjab government and Health Department to provide machinery, medical equipment, oxygen and other necessary supplies for setting up the nursery ward at the Shakargarh THQ Hospital. Although a regular nursery ward was established two years ago, it remains non-functional due to a lack of professional staff. The hospital lacks doctors, nursing staff, and paramedical professionals essential for the care of newborns.

Local residents Resham Bibi and Balqis Bibi said the absence of a nursery ward in both public and private sector hospitals in Shakargarh was a matter of concern. They said it was hard to shift women and newborns to Narowal DHQ Hospital or Lahore immediately after delivery, with 85 percent of children dying during the transfer.

Muhammad Akram and Basharat Ali said there were limited nursery facilities at DHQ Hospital and the costs of private hospital care were out of reach of the common man. Despite the Punjab government spending millions on incubators and other equipment, the machinery remains unused and deteriorating.

Medical Superintendent Dr Mohammad Riaz said there was a lack of technical staff at the THQ hospital, stressing the need for four doctors, six nurses, eight paramedics, and two technicians for the nursery ward. He said he had repeatedly applied to the health department for professional staff.

Chief Executive Officer of the District Health Authority Dr Naveed Haider confirmed that a letter has been sent to the health department requesting staff. He assured that the nursery ward would become functional once the necessary personnel are appointed.

Citizens have demanded that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the health secretary take immediate notice of the situation and address the urgent need for professional staff to prevent further deaths of newborns.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2024