The meeting was attended by the Secretary Health, Deputy Chief Planning Officer (P&D), Regional Director South Region Dr. Kamran Zakaria, Managing Director Health Foundation Dr. Khizar Hayat, and District Health Officer Upper South Waziristan Dr. Tufail Sherani.
During the meeting, detailed deliberations were held on the challenges faced by the health sector in South Waziristan, as well as ongoing and upcoming development projects. Special discussion was held on the long-standing issue of Mola Khan Sarai Hospital, which was being operated under the PPP mode. Due to certain administrative and technical issues, the hospital’s services had been affected. As a result of the continuous efforts of MPA Muhammad Asif Khan Mehsud and the Health Department, the recruitment advertisement for hospital staff has now been issued. The Provincial Minister for Health assured that formal approval will be granted in the upcoming cabinet meeting, after which the hospital will be made functional within the same month, Insha’Allah.
The meeting also reviewed the upgradation of Basic Health Units (BHUs) in South Waziristan. Due to past militancy and conflict, many BHU buildings and infrastructure had been severely damaged. It was decided that all BHUs in South Waziristan will be included in the upgradation scheme, for which principled approval has already been granted. Along with full rehabilitation of these facilities, shortages of human resources will also be addressed.
Detailed discussions were also held regarding the funding of Tank Nara and Makeen Hospitals, which are approximately 70 to 80 percent complete. The meeting emphasized the immediate release of remaining funds so that these projects can be completed at the earliest and better healthcare services can be provided to the public.
Furthermore, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) partnership model was discussed, under which more than half of the BHUs in South Waziristan will be handed over to PRCS under a sharing model, similar to the successful provision of quality healthcare services at BHU Baloch Kot.
The meeting also addressed shortages of infrastructure, medical equipment, and furniture in hospitals. On this occasion, the Provincial Minister for Health assured that these issues will be resolved on a war footing.
Similarly, it was agreed to provide 4 to 5 new ambulances to South Waziristan to expand Rescue 1122 emergency services, in order to strengthen emergency medical response across the district.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Provincial Minister for Health and the Secretary Health directed the DHO Upper South Waziristan to submit a progress report every fifteen days to ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation of the projects.
Finally, the public was assured that the health sector in South Waziristan is being given top priority, and that, Insha’Allah, all health-related issues will be resolved on a priority basis, as healthcare is a fundamental right of the people and the government is fully committed to safeguarding this right.