Thursday, July 4, 2024 06:03 PM
Rawalpindi District Healthcare Crisis: DHA Struggles to Maintain Services
- Severe staff cuts and lack of medicines impact 77 dispensaries
- DHA faces budget constraints for dengue workers amidst protests
- Residents forced to seek medical care at overcrowded private facilities
Image Credits: tribune_pkThe healthcare crisis in Rawalpindi district highlights severe staff cuts, medicine shortages, and budget constraints faced by the District Health Authority, leading to residents seeking care at overcrowded private facilities.
Recent reports have shed light on the dire situation facing 77 dispensaries in Rawalpindi district, where essential medical services are under threat due to a significant reduction in medical staff and a shortage of crucial medicines. The District Health Authority (DHA) is struggling to allocate funds for 2,250 dengue workers amidst ongoing anti-dengue and anti-polio campaigns, leading to protests among vaccinators. The management of the district's healthcare system by the DHA Chief Executive has been severely impacted, resulting in the closure of 48 rural and 29 urban government dispensaries.
The severe staff cuts, including the elimination of 60 dispensers and 30 medical officers, have worsened the situation. The lack of financial resources for medications and other essentials has rendered the once-efficient treatment system completely ineffective. As a result, residents are now forced to seek medical attention at overcrowded private clinics and hospitals.
Despite the DHA's efforts to secure a budget for hiring dengue workers, the request has been denied by the Punjab Health Department, leaving the authority with unpaid bills to essential suppliers. Vendors are facing delays in receiving their dues, while protests by vaccinators over unpaid allowances have only temporarily subsided following assurances from the Punjab government.
Efforts to obtain comments from the DHA Chief Executive, Dr. Ijaz Ahmed, have been unsuccessful. This situation underscores the broader challenges within projects under his leadership, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention to tackle the healthcare crisis in Rawalpindi district.
The healthcare crisis in Rawalpindi district is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention and resolution. The lack of medical staff, essential medicines, and financial resources has severely impacted the functioning of dispensaries, leaving residents with limited access to healthcare services. It is crucial for authorities to address these challenges promptly to ensure the well-being of the community and prevent further deterioration of the healthcare system.
