SHANGLA: Residents of Chakesar tehsil of Shangla district have demanded of the government to ensure basic facilities, including electricity, equipment and staff in the area’s rural health centre.

Talking to reporters on Sunday, they said the populated tehsil had only one RHC which had been lacking life saving drugs, equipment and even it had no power supply, causing patients numerous difficulties.

Niaz Khan, a local, said the RHC had turned into a ghost building because of absence of facilities and staff.“A majority of people have to go to hospitals in Swat and Abottabad for treatment,” he said.

Shahid Iqbal, another local resident, said patients with even minor diseases were not treated at the RHC because of non-availability of equipment.

Haider Ali, a civil society activist, said doctors in the RHC prescribed only antibiotics to every patient, adding that the centre’s laboratory had long been non-functional.

“Cleanliness condition at the health facility is also worse, and due to non-availability of life saving drugs, doctors ask attendants to bring medicines from outside,” he lamented.

Sher Ali, district councillor, said the Shangla council had paid the amount for purchasing a transformer for the hospital four years ago but the district health department failed to provide the facility.

He said the district health officer had made several promises with him, but to no avail. MPA from PK-24, Shangla II, Faisal Zeb Khan, when contacted, told Dawn that he had raised the issue on the assembly floor and a meeting was also scheduled with the health minister to be also attended by the DHO and the MS of the hospital.

NEW SPELL OF SNOW: A new spell of snow and rain started in Shangla district on Sunday evening, turning the weather chilly again.

Rain coupled with strong winds lashed plain areas, including Bisham city, while upper parts, including Yakhtangay, Shangla Top, Ajmeer, Per Khana, Speen Ghar, Gamtal and Kandaw, received more snowfall.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2019