Dental Unit opened at Aga Khan Medical Center, Gilgit

I would like to appreciate the generosity of Dr. Amir Lalani from Canada to establish dental unit at the Aga Khan Medical Center Gilgit. We hope this facility will facilitate the people of Northern Areas: Thanks Mr. Amir for your generosity.

Furthermore, it is my humble request to the Board of directors AKHB and professionals of AKHB Pakistan and its affiliated regional and local set up in Northern area and Hunza to focus and consider tehsil Gojal, ( which is geographically the largest tehsil of Northern Areas Pakistan) for such kind of facilities.

Upper Hunza (Gojal) starts from Afghan border Chupursun, Misgar Khunjrab and Shimshal from China border including many villages situated on KKH and off the KKH are divided in many pockets, are the remotest and most vulnerable for the basic facilities of life. However, in spite of many hurdles in their way; the hardworking and committed inhabitants of the area do their level best in every walk of life.

Here, I would like to be specific, and highlight the existing medical facilities situation either available from Government side or from AKHS side.

As, Gulmit is the headquarter of tehsil Gojal and government has established and completed the construction of 10 bed hospital but only a medical officer with a paramedical staff is sitting there and dealing only first add cases.

On the other hand, in Gojal, the community has constructed Health Centers on self-help basis under the guidance and supervision of AKHB/AKHS with the collaboration of donor agencies in various clusters, such as Chupursun, Sost, Shimshal and Gulmit with high expectations to get facilities in their door steps or at least their nearest centers. Unfortunately, it did not materialize and only LHVs provide services in their limited capacities on those centers.

Looking on the above mentioned oppressed situation what could be the alternatives? Yes, that is not much easy and bearable. Only in nutshell, you can read these few painful line;
Those families, who have the capacities (afford or compelled to borrow) can travel to Aliabad, Gilgit, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Karachi or else where in Pakistan, particularly children, female, senior citizens and poor patients are more vulnerable to travel.. There is no existence of patient welfare organizations, who will lend hand to the poor and needy; as a result, they loss their precious lives even in minor and curable diseases.

Some Suggestions to overcome on the said issues
Suggestions for public representatives: (Member NALA Hunza, Member District Council Gojal, Chairman and Members of Union Councils from Gojal, including government official – all should put their efforts according to their capacity) should
1. Ensure the provision/appointment of doctors, professionals and general staff for Gulmit- Gojal 10 bed hospital in his first and foremost priority.
2. To establish another 10 bed hospital in Sost Gojal to facilitate the surrounding villages.
3. To establish basic health unit or at least first aid post in those villages that still deprived of it.
4. Any more can be added to this list

Suggestions for AKHS (Honorary Set-up from National to Local level, including Professionals):
1. To strengthen the existing health centers in terms of doctors and equipments
2. To attract donors to establish a dental center/eye hospital/ at Gojal level.
3. To educate and motivate communities for health care through seminars, medical camps, lectures etc.
4. Any more can be done for the betterment of the people health.

Note: Although, these points may be applicable to many parts of the Northern Area, but the focus of Gojal- upper Hunza is focused here, because of knowing the facts and figures personally.
Thank you volunteers of Pamir Times New Blog, for sharing such news and offering opportunity to share the voices of the mountain people.
Thanks
Sharif Khan