PESHAWAR, May 7: The NWFP health department has delayed release of ambulances to six hospitals of the province owing to interference by the health minister, sources in the health department told Dawn here on Wednesday.

The women health project (WHP), financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), had purchased 11 ambulances a month ago for six targeted districts, Swat, Swabi, Kohat, Hangu, Shangla and D I Khan. An amount of Rs16 million was paid to a company, but only two ambulances, one each for the Daggar Hospital, district Buner, and another for the Lahor hospital, district Swabi, had been released. Nine other ambulances are parked at the showroom of the company.

The health minister, Inayatullah Khan, and his private secretary reportedly wanted two ambulances for hospitals in their respective districts, whereas the director of the WHP did not agree, saying that these were meant for the targeted districts.

The director, however, has asked the health minister to issue written directives, so that he could release ambulances to the hospital in his district.