LAKKI MARWAT, July 13: The district council has passed a resolution demanding an immediate upgrade of the District Headquarters Hospital to Medical College and Institute of Medical Sciences at an estimated cost of Rs400 million.

The council took strong exception to the non-availability of treatment facilities at the hospital which had been constructed at a cost of Rs200 million. The decision to upgrade the health facility had been taken at a meeting held on Friday under the chair of Convener Advocate Qutratullah Khan.

Speaking on the occasion, district Nazim Humayun Saifullah Khan said that when upgraded, the hospital would not only provide healthcare facilities to the southern districts of the province but would also cater to Bhakar and Mainwali districts in Punjab.

He regretted the delay in upgrading the hospital and blamed the negligence of the provincial government for it.

Mr Khan said the district government was making all efforts to ensure better health, education and communication facilities to the people of the area.

The meeting was also attended by ACO Syed Khalid Israr Shah, EDO finance Hajji Naimatullah Khan, EDO agriculture Haji Tasleem Khan, AD water management Mohammad Ismail Kahn, Director health Dr Saleem Khan and other members of the district council.—APP