LANDI KOTAL, Feb 9: Agency Head Quarter Hospital at Landi Kotal, Khyber Agency, has been without specialist doctors for the last one year, despite the fact that vacancies for such posts exist.

The health department recently acquired the services of a surgeon on contract basis. The post remained vacant for about eight months. The medical superintendent of the hospital, Dr Roohullah, when contacted said he had already taken up the matter with the officials of health department and hoped that all vacant posts in the hospital would be filled in due course.

Due to absence of specialist doctors, the number of patients in the OPD has also decreased. Patients mostly travel to Peshawar for specialized treatment.

“Most of oral medicines are consumed by out door patients while injections are being provided to patients admitted to the hospital,” an employee of the hospital said. He emphasized that this practice of giving medicines be changed as these are needed most by the patients admitted to the hospital. Presently the government is providing medicines worth Rs 2.5 to 3.0 million rupees annually to the hospital.

Dr Roohullah complained about prolonged loadshedding and shortage of water in the hospital premises. He said Wapda, after a series of negotiations, have promised to provide a separate electricity line to the hospital for which they will be charged. About water supply, Dr Roohullah suggested to install a separate tubewell for the hospital so that continuous supply of water is ensured.

Commenting on the condition of Agency Head Quarter Hospital Landi Kotal, a local medicine dealer suggested to the government to improve health facilities in the hospital and appoint only those doctors who were willing to carry out their duties honestly. He complained that there were no medical facilities in the remote Tirah valley in Khyber Agency.