GILGIT, Dec 24: The people of Diamer district have criticised the administration of Gilgit-Baltistan for not providing proper health facilities, compelling them to travel to other parts of the region and the country for seeking treatment.

The district, which is inhibited by people mostly living below the poverty line, has been promised a modern hospital by the successive governments but words remain to be translated into deeds.

Chilas, which is the district headquarter city, is visited by patients from far-flung valleys of Darel, Tangir, Hudur, Thore, Khanbary, Khinar, Gohar Abad and many other valleys, but most patients are referred to either Gilgit or down country due to lack of health facilities in the city.

“The newly constructed 100-bed hospital in Chilas gives foul smell all the time making it difficult for patients and their attendants to stay in the building,” complains Jamroze Khan, an attendant of a patient.

He says the hygiene condition at the hospital is poor and the hospital administration is not paying proper heed to the situation.

The hospital’s X-ray machine always remains out of order and whenever it works the cost of films and other expenditures is borne by the poor patients.