MANSEHRA: Residents of Oghi are without adequate healthcare facilities as the historical Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, which was grounded after developing dangerous cracks in the 2005 devastating earthquake, is yet to be rebuilt.

“The government performed the groundbreaking of this health facility about seven years ago, but its reconstruction couldn’t be completed as yet due to a shortage of funds leaving locals dependent on quacks and unskilled birth attendants,” Javed Sikandar, a local peasant councillor, told reporters in Oghi.

Flanked by a group of locals, he said that the hospital built in 1901 had developed dangerous cracks during the earthquake almost 19 years ago and its reconstruction work was suspended some two years ago due to a shortage of funds. “An alternative health facility is running nearby but is unable to meet the healthcare needs of people, resulting in patients being shifted to quacks,” Mr Sikandar said.

He said children and women were the worst affected by this situation and were compelled to seek treatment at King Abdullah Teaching Hospital in Mansehra or Ayub Medical Complex in Abbottabad. “We have raised this issue with the health department’s higher-ups and local lawmakers numerous times, but to no avail,” Mr Sikandar said.

He demanded of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and local MPA Akramullah Ghazi to take notice of the grim situation and ensure the early release of funds so the hospital could be completed.

Meanwhile, Oghi assistant commissioner Fahad Zia and DSP Waheed Khan raided private clinics and hospitals to arrest quacks allegedly involved in performing surgeries and providing medicines.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2025