Gojal health unit still lacks basic facilities
by Zulfiqar Ali Khan
HUNZA, Feb 19: The people in Gojal are facing severe health problems due to lack of facilities at the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Gulmit and other basic health units in the scattered valley.
Gojal, the largest tehsil of Hunza-Nagar district, has been cut off from rest of the region due to blockade of the Karakoram Highway by the devastating landslide of Atabad on Jan 4.
The health department has deputed some doctors but the hospital still lacks basic equipments like x-ray machine.
There is no surgeon and gynaecologist at the main hospital. The people demanded of the Gilgit-Baltistan government to establish an emergency operation unit as ordered by the governor of the region, Qamar Zaman Kaira, during his visit last month.
Locals told Dawn that dispensaries and first aid centres in the far-flung valleys were also lacking basic equipments and medicines. They demanded of the health department to equip the health units with basic facilities.
“Syed Ahmed Jan, the driver of a jeep, which met accident last week in Chipurson, is now in critical condition due to lack of proper treatment in Gojal,” said Sarfraz Khan, a social activist from Chipurson. He said the seven injured people were shifted to Aliabd on Friday through a boat due to lack of x-ray machine at the hospital in Gulmit.
Karamat Shah, a volunteer working to facilitate patients coming from Gojal, said that the boat service was not suitable for patients and women.
“The helpless patients are waiting in freezing weather to avail the boat service,” he added. DAWN
Gojal being the largest tehsil of Hunza-Nagar district, 25000 inhabbitats,has always faced health issues,the health facilities in the area has always been inadequate. The governments in the past have never showed interest regarding this particular problem. Even not a single proper hospital have not even built in the area.
After the disaster the sitution became even more worser.The people are facing very hard time nowadays. The administration must need to try its level best to resolve it. Mobile hospitals should be build in the short term to overcome the situttion.
Thanks Zulfiqar for highlighting this important issue. Every one knows that before blockade of Karakorum High Way due to land sliding, Aga Khan Health Centre Aliabad Hunza was the only ray of hope for the masses of Hunza-Nagar district. The so called Tehsil Headquarter Hospital lackes basic medical facilities and not in a position to meet the medical needs of entire Gojal in an emergency situation. I agree with Asim Saeed that establishment of mobile hospital in Gojal is need of the hour. One can easily foresee the condition of medical facilities at forflung areas like Shimshal, Chipurson and Misgar by knowing about the facilities at Gulmit hospital. Imigine if the main hospital has no surgeon and gynaecologist at this emergency situation then what we can expect in other areas.
May I request Mr. Wazir Baig, Speaker Gilgit-Baltistan to please pay special attention toward this important issue. I hope you will not forget your success due to an incredible support provided by the people of Gojal. This is the best time to offer your services to the disaster affected area of Gojal otherwise people will not favour you anymore.
Dear All Gojalis,
I would like to request you all to pressurize the Government Health department through your (GBLA) representative members for the appointment of medical doctors in the Gojal Thasil Headquarter Hospital Gulmit immediately before happening any big incident in the effected areas. You know well that the road is closed and the entire area is disconnected with the rest of Pakistan. Thus, the only solution to the grave issue faced by the people is to appoint the doctors in the hospital as per the promise of the Governor and Chief Minister of GB.
Best regards,
Ali Aman
Badakhshan
Dear All Gojalis,
I would like to request you all to pressurize the Government Health department through your (GBLA) representative members for the appointment of medical doctors in the Gojal Thasil Headquarter Hospital Gulmit immediately before happening any big incident in the effected areas. You know well that the road is closed and the entire area is disconnected with the rest of Pakistan. Thus, the only solution to the grave issue faced by the people is to appoint the doctors in the hospital as per the promise of the Governor and Chief Minister of GB.
Best regards,
Ali Aman
Badakhshan