Drosh hospital a picture of complete neglect

Report GH Farooqui

CHITRAL: Drosh, some 45km from here, is one of the oldest and historical towns of Chitral. The first hospital was established here in 1929 but it could not be upgraded even after the passage of one whole century. The Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQ) is serving a huge population of 60,000. One post of BPS 19 and one of BPS 18 senior medical officer are lying vacant since long besides four posts of specialists (surgicalt, medical, paeds and gynae) are also vacant. As well as posts of six medical officers and five charge nurses are also lying vacant in the hospital.

The X-Ray machine is out of order and the dental unit is also not running properly although there is a new brand X-Ray machine but due to low voltage and irregular supply of electricity it is not working. The generator of the hospital has also developed technical fault and could not supply electricity to the hospital even in an emergency situation.

Dr Iftikhar Khilji, Medical Officer In-charge, said the hospital also manages minor operations but was facing lack of basic facilities. Dr Saeeda Rabbani said there was no facility in the labour room while only one nurse has been detailed from Chitral hospital. The EPI unit is also in a very dilapidated condition and its building is likely to be collapsed. A female patient complained about lack of facilities in the hospital and demanded posting of more doctors in the hospital. Social and political circles of the area also appealed to high-ups of the health department for filling the vacant posts and providing other missing facilities in the hospital.