SWABI: The people of Swabi have complained about inadequate healthcare facilities despite the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government’s tall claims of implementing a health emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

They alleged that doctors at public sector hospitals here referred patients to hospitals in Mardan and Peshawar.

People belonging to different walks of life, including political activists, told Dawn that even minor cases were usually referred to Peshawar and Mardan by doctors here.

Major public sector hospitals in the district include Bacha Khan Teaching Hospital, Shahmansoor, District Headquarters Hospital, Tehsil Headquarters Hospitals, Chota Lahor, Topi, Razaar, Yar Hussain Civil Hospital and various basic health units and rural health centres.

Residents of Topi city said it was often observed that no doctor was available at the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital at night, and usually a technician or paramedical staff handled the patients.

They said the doctors often referred the patients to either the District Headquarters Hospital, or Bacha Khan Teaching Hospital, Shahmansoor.

The residents said similar tactics were used by doctors at other hospitals.

They said even after ruling the province for 12 consecutive years the PTI government could not turn around the health sector.

The residents complained that the affluent class, including politicians, got quick services at the local hospitals, but the poor patients faced problems in availing healthcare.

“Lack of proper patient care forces most people to visit the private health facilities to avail treatment,” Nabi Khan of Maneri Bala area said.

He said behaviour of staff at the public sector was also unbecoming. He said the majority of doctors of public sector hospitals focused on their private clinics.

When contacted, officials at the DHQ Hospital said they tried their best to provide quality healthcare to patients. They admitted that some critical patients were referred to Peshawar or Mardan hospitals.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2024