GUJAR KHAN: The residential quarters of basic health units (BHUs) in Nararh and Panjhaar areas of Kahuta tehsil have been in a dilapidated condition due to lack of maintenance for years.

The BHUs were established by the efforts of Mohammad Yamin (late) in the 1980s when he was the chairman of the district council Rawalpindi.

A visit to Panjhaar and Nararh health facilities by Dawn showed that all the residential quarters for medical officers, lady health visitors, compounders and vaccinators were either razed to earth or having been deprived of fixture of doors and windows and were serving as cattle pens.

Mohammad Faheem, a resident of Panjhaar, said that the residences were in dilapidated condition for the last four years and could not be repaired. Mr Faheem added that medical officers and other staff were providing health services after travelling from Rawalpindi and other remote areas.

He also pointed out that one of the damaged quarters was being used by polio vaccinators where newborn babies were brought for protection against polio and other diseases. He said some members of the staff were forced to stay at night in the rooms of the administrative block during winters.

Dr Mohammad Makki, the medical officer at BHU Panjhaar, said that the residences were declared ‘dangerous’ by the provincial building department Rawalpindi about six years ago. He added that the quarters were now unable to be revamped and fresh construction was needed.

Mohammad Ayaz Satti of Nararh area said that he was satisfied with the healthcare and availability of medicines but regretted that the residential quarters had been ruined for want of timely maintenance.

Dr Maaz Azhar, the medical officer at BHU Nararh, said that he was posted to the health unit 10 months ago and residential issues were being faced by the staffers. He also added that these buildings were inspected by officials of the building department but allocation of funds for reconstruction was an issue.

When contacted, Dr Arbab Niazi, the chief executive officer of the District Health Authority Rawalpindi, said that the health department had started revamping of health facilities and during the first phase about 30 BHUs and seven rural health centres (RHCs) were ‘being revamped’ while the second and third phases will include more facilities.

When told about the condition of the health units, the CEO said that he would soon visit Nararh and Panjhaar BHUs.

The residents of the area have urged Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take notice of the issue and issue directions for the reconstruction of the residential blocks.

According to officials in the health department, it had been decided to revamp the main buildings of the BHUs under this programme, but residences were not included in it.

“It is the project management unit of the health department that identifies and prioritises projects for rehabilitation or reconstruction and then the C&W executes its recommendations,” the officials said.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2024