Doctors needed for Battagram health facilities

BATTAGRAM: The Battagram district’s healthcare facilities are understaffed as far as the number of medical officers and specialist doctors is concerned.

Several positions in the healthcare centres are lying vacant. The District Headquarters (DHQs) Hospital in Battagram is especially affected as 114 of 164 positions are vacant there.

Of the 14 specialist doctor posts at the DHQs, only one is occupied. Similarly, the Rural Health Centres and Basic Health Units face a shortage of doctors, with 46 out of 61 medical officer positions yet to be filled out.

The Type D Hospital at Banna Allai has four specialist posts vacant. This shortage is impacting the residents.

The Battagram deputy commissioner has requested the secretary of Health to address the critical need for more medical officers and specialist doctors.

In a letter, he said the DHQs Hospital provided essential services not only to the people of Battagram but also those from the surrounding districts, including Shangla, Torghar, and Kohistan.

A political worker, Saeed Ahmad Malkal, expressed concern over the healthcare deficiencies and called on the government to act promptly to address the issue.