SHANGLA: The only rural health centre (RHC) for three union councils here at Karora is without a lady doctor and lacks basic facilities, causing difficulties for the patients visiting it.

Patients from Ranyal, Chichlo, Sangrai, Karora, Guli But, Chedam, Dunai, Shahpur, Koz Kana, Damorai, Pir Khana, Belkanai, Ajmeer, Chakat and other nearby areas depend on this hospital for their treatment, but it lacks basic facilities, while its building is in dilapidated condition. In case of rains, rainwater seeps from the roof inside its general ward and minor operation theatre.

Officials at the RHC said that a loaded truck had hit the hospital wall and electric pole where the facility’s transformer was installed and now the hospital was without electricity.

They said that 100 to 200 patients visited the Karora RHC from the nearby union councils for treatment as it was located in the middle of Kana and Alpuri tehsil.

Hashmat Ali, an attendant of a patient from Chedam, said that a doctor suggested an X-ray test for his patient, but due to unavailability of electricity the hospital’s X-ray and clinical laboratory were closed.

He said that he had to go to a private X-ray laboratory in Bisham for the test who charged them Rs400 while he had to spend Rs600 on transportation of the patient to Bisham.

Mehboobur Rehman, a local elder, said that the post of lady doctor in the hospital had been vacant for the last seven months. He said that they had been taking their female patients to the hospitals in Bisham, Alpuri and Swat for treatment.

Nazir Ahmed, a resident, said that the hospital’s laboratory only performed CBC and urine tests. The local people have demanded of the government to make the hospital fully functional.

ROAD MISHAP: Two people were injured when a car fell into Khan Khwar River in Bisham town here on Saturday.

Residents said the car was on its way on Karakoram Highway when it skidded off the road and fell into the river. As a result, two men were injured. The local people shifted them to the Bisham hospital.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2020