DHO report exposes staff shortages, lack of critical facilities at DHQ Hospital Dasu and impending strike
PESHAWAR:
Despite the introduction of a public-private partnership (PPP) model in the healthcare sector of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, conditions in several government hospitals have failed to improve, with serious deficiencies reported at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Dasu Hospital in Upper Kohistan.
According to sources, the District Health Officer (DHO) of Upper Kohistan submitted a detailed report to the Managing Director of the Health Foundation earlier this month, highlighting multiple administrative and medical problems at the district’s largest hospital. The report was prepared after an inspection visit by DHO Dr Taj Muhammad.
The report reveals that of the 11 authorized consultant posts at DHQ Hospital Dasu, only two consultants, an orthopedic surgeon and a general surgeon, were present on duty. The hospital management reported that two otorhinolaryngologists and pediatricians were on official leave. Similarly, only 12 out of 20 doctors were available for duty, while only 10 nurses were working against an authorized strength of 25. However, the entire paramedical staff, comprising 37 persons, was reported to be fully available.
The DHO also drew attention to the serious lack of essential healthcare facilities at the hospital. Apart from a few beds, there are no adequate indoor services to stabilize 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 not been working for several months due to technical failures.
The absence of a qualified anesthetist has further reduced surgical procedures to the bare minimum. The report highlights the urgent need to upgrade the hospital to meet basic health 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 several PPP hospitals have repeatedly protested 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.
