DHO report exposes staff shortages, lack of critical facilities at DHQ Hospital Dasu, and looming strike
PESHAWAR:
Despite the introduction of a public-private partnership (PPP) model in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s health sector, the conditions of several government hospitals have failed to improve, with serious shortcomings reported at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Dasu in Upper Kohistan.
According to sources, the District Health Officer (DHO) Upper Kohistan has submitted a detailed report to the Managing Director of the Health Foundation earlier this month, highlighting multiple administrative and medical issues at the district’s largest hospital. The report was prepared following an inspection visit by DHO Dr Taj Muhammad.
The report reveals that out of 11 sanctioned consultant posts at DHQ Hospital Dasu, only two consultants, an orthopedic surgeon and a general surgeon, were found present on duty. Hospital management informed that two ENT and pediatric consultants were on official leave. Similarly, only 12 out of 20 medical officers were available for duty, while just 10 nurses were working against a sanctioned strength of 25. However, the entire paramedical staff comprising 37 personnel was reported to be fully available.
The DHO also drew attention to the severe lack of essential healthcare facilities at the hospital. Apart from a few beds, no proper indoor services are available for stabilizing emergency patients. Despite being a major district hospital, DHQ Dasu has no Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and lacks a blood bank. The hospital’s only digital X-ray machine has remained non-functional for several months due to technical faults.
The absence of a qualified anesthetist has further reduced surgical procedures to a bare minimum. The report stresses the urgent need for upgradation of the hospital to meet basic healthcare standards.
Sources said that while the Health Department has outsourced several hospitals in remote districts under the PPP model, many of these facilities continue to face operational crises. Despite government funding and contractual agreements, staff at multiple PPP hospitals have repeatedly protested due to non-payment of salaries and inadequate provision of medical facilities.
At DHQ Hospital Dasu, employees have reportedly not received salaries for the past five months.
