LANDI KOTAL: Assistant Commissioner (AC) Landi Kotal, Shahabuddin, made a surprise visit to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Landi Kotal late Friday night and found that there were major issues regarding the shortage of staff and the lack of medical services.
With the help of the Tehsildar of Landi Kotal, AC Shahabuddin went around the hospital from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM to see if the medical staff were available and the healthcare services met the standards during night shifts.
During the visit, it came to light that two Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and one Medical Officer were available in the Casualty and Emergency sections while one doctor was not there although his name was on the duty roster.
In addition, a variety of essential medicines were on hand as well as an ECG technician, but the emergency OT technician was not available. Nurses Mohammad Zahid, Daoud, and Saddam along with female nurses Ayesha and Hasina Gul were present and performing their duties.
The team also tried to call DMS (Deputy Medical Superintendent) but in vain as the DMS could not be reached because he was absent. Assistant Commissioner Shahabuddin, finding no doctors in the Medical Ward, where only Class IV staff were on duty, said that it was very disappointing and disheartening.
Likewise, the labor room was short of a female doctor though a female staff member who had initially claimed to be a doctor was later identified as a Lady Health Visitor (LHV). Female nurses Hamida and midwife Majida were there to provide the care that was required.
Only one laboratory technician and one Class IV employee were found on duty in the laboratory.
Assistant Commissioner Shahabuddin felt gravely about the situation and accordingly, he drafted the report highlighting the issues and longing the authorities to take immediate steps to facilitate the provision of timely and quality healthcare services to the public.
