PESHAWAR, March 22: The construction of a burns ward in the city has yet to materialize despite funds and land have been allocated. Doctors attribute this to the prevalent red tapism in the health department.

The ward is to be built in the premises of Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), for which an amount of Rs 10 million had been deposited in the account of HMC. Land measuring 22 kanals has also been allotted and the foundation stone had been laid in June 1998.

Besides, the allocation of initial grant of Rs 10 million, the government had also pledged another Rs 15 million when the construction work would begin. But lack of interest on the part of the health professionals and the pathetic attitude of the government, the project is yet to begin while the patients continue to suffer.

At the beginning of the idea of building a burns unit, a few philanthropists had also agreed to join hands with the government not only to build but also to bear its recurring expenses. In this regard, an amount of Rs 15 million had been pledged by a couple of industrialists initially with full commitment to continuously support and run the centre.

One of the industrialists, whose son had died of burn injuries while saving another life in his factory in blazing fire, had promised Rs 15 million, but now appears discouraged by the red tapism in the health department.   The government had also agreed to commission burns unit as an autonomous body so that it can raise further funds apart from the grants given by the government in line with the international standards without the interference of many government departments.

As there is no facility for burn patients, they are rushed to Kharian, which enhances the cost and affects the condition of the patients.  According to a conservative estimate suggest that the three teaching hospitals in the city receive about 1,000 burn patients every year, more than 60 per cent of whom die for want of proper treatment. Those who survive live with scars and deformities.