Pakistan: In Swat, one doctor for 100,000 people

For around 100,000 people living in Gwalerai there is only one basic health unit (BHU) to cater to their health needs. As staggering as that may seem, it is compounded by the fact that there is only one doctor and one medical technician deputed at the health unit, which does not even equipped with an X-ray machine let alone a medical laboratory. Locals said the BHU does not have the required facilities, especially for treating serious patients, and the patients have to be taken to hospitals in neighbouring Matta or Mingora. Moreover, since the BHU does not have a female doctor, the conservative locals are unwilling to get female patients treated there. Locals have demanded of the health authorities to appoint at least four male and one female doctor at the BHU to cater to the needs of people living of the various hamlets of Gwalerai. They also stressed for equipping the BHU with a laboratory to conduct basic medical tests.

Sohrab, a social activist and resident of Labat village, said in addition to the lack of doctors and facilities at the BHU, it is not operational around the clock. He said the BHU is open only till 2pm. Sohrab said the locals even requested the army to provide them a few doctors but they did not make any promises. “The grimmest issue we face is the absence of a lady doctor [at the BHU],” said Rahim Zada, a resident of Sulantar locality. He said that due to absence of roads in the hilly area, pregnant women have to walk for miles to reach hospitals in neighbouring Matta or Mingora. He said the alternate is to hire a private vehicle for around Rs5,000, but that is unaffordable for the majority of the people. Shah Dawran, a local lawyer maintained, “If people have to go to hospitals in Matta or Mingora for a mere blood or urine test, then what is the use of this BHU?”While a majority of the locals visit the tehsil hospital in Matta for treatment, it too lacks facilities and serious patients have to be taken to Saidu Sharif, which is farther away, said Mian Afzal Jan, a resident of Peshtonrai. He said a number of serious patients have died while making the journey. “We try to do what we can but we do not have the facilities to cater to such a huge population,” said Dr Nizamudin, the only physician working at the BHU since 2008. He said he daily treats around 300 outpatients, “which is no easy task.” He said that a female doctor needs to be appointed at the BHU since more female patients visit it than male. He added if one more fully equipped BHU is be established in Gwalerai, the health problems of the people will be met to some extent. People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative Mingora Coordinator Mohammad Imran said that BHU has no vacant posts, as all nine sanctioned posts are filled. He said that in order to appoint a female doctor at the BHU, the health unit will have to be upgraded, which can only be done on the “special directives of the health minister.”