SADIQABAD, June 7: The Allahabad Rural Health Centre, which is meant to cater to the needs of more than 30,000 people, is short of medical equipment, medicines and doctors. As a result, hundreds of needy patients of Liaquatpur tehsil have to go to private clinics and pay hefty fees for checkups.

At the centre, the posts of doctors – both male and female – have been lying vacant for years. In case of emergency, people have to rush their patients to private hospitals in Liaquatpur or Bahawalpur, which are several kilometres away. Many patients die on their way to hospitals.

Female patients are the worst sufferers as the centre presently has no lady doctor. The post of dental surgeon has also been lying vacant for the last several years. As a result, the dentistry equipment is getting dust and rust. The centre has no anti-rabies and snake bite vaccines.

Moreover, a contractor who was repairing the centre building abandoned work six months ago. No drinking water is available at the centre, as the water supply was suspended about six months ago.