SWABI, June 17: The tension between the medical superintendent, doctors and paramedic, coupled with shortage of equipment and staff in the district headquarters hospital, Swabi, have created difficulties for patients, said a survey conducted by Dawn here Monday.

The 74-bed hospital, built on 42 kanal, was upgraded to DHQ level in 1988 but it still lacks adequate health facilities.

For the last 15 years the facilities have not been improved, whereas the number of patients have increased manifold. Besides the city, people from lower parts of Buner district also come here.

The doctors and paramedics alleged that the harsh behaviour, frequent explanation calls, unjust rotation of duties had affected the performance of the hospital.

“Some paramedics are forced to work always night shifts and the privileged class was not. We will hold a news conference and might even go on strike to protest against the management’s attitude.” The nurses had already apprised the district coordination officer, Swabi, about the situation.

A survey of the emergency ward revealed that there are no life-saving drugs, painkillers, disposable syringes, bandages, silk for stitching, and the spirit was substandard.

Another apathy is that majority of the patients are being referred to either Mardan or Peshawar hospitals which was extremely troublesome for the patients and their families.

“The electricity generator has been out of order for the last one year. Of the two ambulances, only one was repaired a week ago.

The X-ray plant is small and cannot cater to the needs of most patients. All such patients who need specialized X-rays KUB, skull, hip-joint and PNS have to go to Mardan or Peshawar.

The provision of timely medical aid has become a real problem, specially at night it becomes almost impossible for the staff to deal with emergencies. There is immense workload on every department.

In the absence of a paediatrician, paeds ward is being run by an MBBS doctor. Also, the hospital has not found the replacements for the four specialist who were transferred some time back.

Overall, there are 11 sanctioned posts of the specialist doctors and 14 medical officers, and two posts of paramedics were recently abolished.

More than 250 to 350 patients visit different OPDs daily. The number of paramedics stands at 103, which include only 10 nurses.

The provincial government had suspended the construction of a 200-bed hospital complex at Shahmansoor township soon after the 1997 general elections, but the incumbent regime has allocated Rs40 million for it, and its construction resumed three month back.