Residents and local sources have raised concerns over specialist shortages, inactive medical facilities, and the use of annual government funding at DHQ Hospital Wana.
SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Concerns have intensified over healthcare services at DHQ Hospital Wana after local sources alleged that the facility continues to face a severe shortage of specialist doctors despite receiving approximately Rs470 million in annual funding from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government under the management of MERF, a non-governmental organization.
According to local sources, the hospital currently lacks a nephrologist, urologist, radiologist, ENT specialist, and anesthesiology specialist. In the absence of qualified consultants, some specialized services are reportedly being supervised by doctors from other departments.
Sources also claimed that the hospital’s bone imaging machine has remained out of service for several years, forcing trauma and accident patients to seek treatment in other districts. Only two dialysis machines are reportedly operational, creating difficulties for kidney patients.
The report further alleges that administrative issues have contributed to the departure of specialist doctors. It also claims that despite the availability of an express electricity feeder, specialists receive only limited power supply.
According to the sources, only the medical, surgical, gynecology, labor room, and children’s wards are fully functional, while the ICU, CCU, and several other units remain closed due to staff shortages. Critically ill patients are therefore referred to Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan for advanced treatment.
Local residents have urged the provincial government and the Health Department to immediately fill vacant specialist positions and conduct an independent audit of the hospital’s annual funding. The allegations made by local sources have not been independently verified, and no official response from MERF or the relevant authorities was available at the time of publication.
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