MANSEHRA: Deputy commissioner Dr Qasim Ali Khan has said the Saudi government will supply over Rs640 million worth of hi-tech surgical equipment and machines for the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital, Mansehra, early next year saying the initiative will help improve healthcare in the district.

“Most of the health issues raised by you will be addressed after the supply of surgical equipment and hi-tech machines by Saudi Arabia for the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital,” Dr Qasim told an open kutcheri organised by the district administration at the hospital here on Thursday.

The DC said the Kath bedding capacity was being increased from 350 to 550.

Local MNA Babar Saleem Swati, who was also present on the occasion, said the shortage of drinking water was the biggest issue of Mansehra city and its outskirts.

He appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister Mehmood Khan over intervention for the approval of the gravity flow water supply scheme and over Rs4 billion funds for it.

The lawmaker said work on the project meant to address water shortages in the city would begin soon.

DC says KATH bedding capacity being increased

On the occasion, medical superintendent of Kath Dr Shahzad Ali said patients were referred to the Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad, only when beds were filled with patients.

Members of Kath Management Board Sheeraz Mehmood Qureshi told participants that the health authorities should take effective measures to check the sale of substandard medicines on the market.

KILLED: A mason was killed as he fell from the rooftop of a house under construction in College Doraha area here on Thursday.

Fida Mohammad was shifted to the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital, whose doctors referred him to the Ayub Medical Complex Abbottabad, but he succumbed to the injuries.

Also in the day, five people suffered injuries when a car collided with a motorcycle head-on on the outskirts of Mansehra city.

The injured, including Mohammad Siddique, Mohammad Farooq, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Sikandar and Mohammad Amir, were shifted to the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital, whose doctors discharged them after emergency treatment.

Meanwhile, traffic wardens have seized scores of motorcycles over underage driving in Oghi, Balakot and Mansehra tehsils.

They also fined around a dozen transport drivers after finding commuters without face mask.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2020