HARIPUR: District nazim Akhtar Nawaz Khan has taken strong exception to lack of cleanliness and shortage of beds in the children’s ward of the District Headquarters Hospital and asked the administration to take corrective measures.

He issued these directions during a surprise visit to the hospital. Accompanied by members of the district council, the nazim visited different wards and expressed displeasure at the shortage of beds in the children’s ward, where two children occupied each of 30 beds.

He asked the hospital administration to shift at least 15 beds to the children’s ward from the ENT ward, where the number of patients is less than the beds’.

The nazim criticised the administration for poor sanitation condition after seeing heaps of solid waste and lack of cleanliness in toilets. He ordered proper sanitation on the premises to ensure better patient care.

The nazim warned that the officials responsible of poor sanitation would face disciplinary action. At the request of the administration, he announced the provision of air conditioners for operation theatres and water cooler for wards.

Deputy medical superintendent Dr Dildar briefed the nazim on the strength of doctors, paramedics and sanitation workers, provision of medicines to patients, and the annual budget of the hospital. He also briefed the nazim about missing facilities in the hospital, especially trauma centre.

HELD: The Hazara police arrested the largest number of proclaimed offenders in the last five months since 1978.

Regional police officer Mohammad Ali Babakhel told reporters here that from 1978 to 2018, there were 1,008 proclaimed offenders, while 125 were declared POs by courts in the Jan-May 2019 period.

He said the police arrested 1,133 proclaimed offenders during the last five months and of them, 286 were wanted for murder, 124 for attempt to murder, 96 on other charges, 90 for absconding after being named in theft, robbery and waylaying cases, and 534 for minor-major offences.

The RPO said the Hazara police arrested all POs, including 273 in Mansehra district, 223 in Kohistan district and 217 in Haripur district.

He said all SHOs, who worked diligently for the arrest of POs, would be honoured.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2019