MINGORA: Mismanagement has marred the affairs of the Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital Swat due to the health department’s failure to fill the medical superintendent vacancy during the last three months.

Currently, the deputy MS oversees the hospital as its acting head.

A staff member said things at the hospital had been in complete disorder due to the top vacancy.

“Though we are striving to efficiently discharge our responsibilities under the deputy MS, many things are not as they should be in absence of a permanent head of the hospital. For example, we’re short of medicine but can’t do anything as new supplies need the sanction of the permanent MS,” a staff member told Dawn.

He also said MRI machine was not in use due to unavailability of films forcing patients to go to private laboratories for tests.

When contacted, Barkat Ali, who oversees the machine, confirmed films were unavailable.

“We finished up MRI films yesterday and demanded supply of more films,” he said. He also said 10,000 films were provided to the hospital, which was not enough, and therefore, the quota should be increased.

Another staff member said only a permanent MS could order purchase of MRI films for being the hospital’s drawing and disbursing officer.

Patients complained the premises lacked cleanliness, while waiting places for attendants were in bad shape.

“There is no garbage disposal system. People not only throw garbage on the premises but also relieve themselves wherever they like,” said elderly attendant Umar Zada.

He also complained about noise caused by vehicles passing through the hospital premises. The attendant said in 1960s, not only medicines were given free to patients but also the hospital was very clean and tidy.

“The Wali-i-Swat would personally visit the hospital to monitor things,” he said. Many attendants said the hospital’s waiting sheds were poorly maintained so they relax by sitting on the floor in corridors.

“The floor is better than waiting sheds. At least, it is smoother,” said Fazal Rehman of Shangla, who accompanied a patient.

Women patients complained most of their wards were located on the second floor to their misery.

They demanded installation of elevators or construction of ramps for their comfort. Some demanded fumigation of the hospital to eliminate mosquitoes and other insects.

When contacted, MPA Fazal Hakim said the vacancy of the Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital MS had been filled and that the appointee would assume charge of the office shortly.

The 497-bed hospital is the fifth largest in the province catering to the people from Malakand division and Kohistan district. — Correspondent

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2015

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