DADU, Aug 2: The district police department has occupied 14 Basic Health Units (BHUs), four health centres, two dispensaries, 17 bungalows and 47 quarters of the health department in different areas of the district.
The Sindh government had started construction of many health centres, BHUs, dispensaries, bungalows and quarters in different areas of the district in previous years but due to the inefficiency of buildings department officers, most of them remained uncompleted and were handed over to health officials.
The inhabitants in some areas also broke doors, windows and other things of these buildings.
In some cases, doctors and other staff were appointed but they did not attend their centre.
When the police department increased the number of police stations and police check posts in the area to control the law and order situation, these health facility buildings were occupied by the police. At least nine police stations and eight police check posts were established at these buildings.
The 14 BHUs, occupied by the district police administration, include Makhdoom Bilawal, Pat, Kheero Deero, Thallo, Boriri, Haji Khan, Talti, Aminani, and Kolachi.
Owing to the establishing of police stations and police check posts at the buildings of the health department, people are not getting medical facilities.
When contacted, the EDO, health, Dr Khadim Hussain Lakhair, confirmed that 14 BHUs, four health centres, two dispensaries, 17 bungalows and 47 quarters of the health department were in the occupation of the police department.
He agreed the situation had adversely affected health facilities in far-flung areas.
He said the police department was not ready to hand over the occupied buildings to the health department.
The EDO maintained that district health authorities were regularly informing high officials of the department but no action had been taken to vacate these buildings.
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