The rural health centre in Haripur district’s Kangra Colony area has not become operational despite its construction more than a decade ago, with the health department citing the unavailability of necessary equipment and staff.
As a result, the thousands of residents of this small township have to travel to the district capital for treatment.
Locals say that the structure for the health facility was constructed in 2011 as part of a provincial government project. It was established in memory of the late Akhtar Nawaz Khan, a former provincial minister.
They say that despite multiple requests to elected representatives and authorities concerned, no tangible steps had been taken in this regard yet. One resident wondered whether the establishment of the health facility was only done to ‘serve the interests of the contractor responsible for it or to earn brownie points from the public by building a structure in an otherwise vacant space’.
They also raised concerns over ‘questionable appointments’ to this facility made from within the health department, saying people from ‘outside the region had been appointed’.
They said that the health department was using the facility as a rest house as it was ‘equipped with furniture and accessories of all sorts’.
Meanwhile, an official from the district health department said that the absence of necessary equipment and staff was the primary reason behind the centre's non-operational status. The official added that a proposal had been submitted to expedite the process of making the centre functional.
Verge of collapse
Locals have voiced concern over the condition of the bridge in Khan Khoi Nara Valley of Haripur, saying that the structure had deteriorated. They also raised questions about the material used in construction amid swirling allegations of corruption.
The bridge was completed a year ago but it has since deteriorated.
According to locals, the contractor resorted to filling the bridge's sides with loose soil and gravel, either to remedy the situation or arrest the deterioration. However, this attempt proved inadequate, with the bridge said to be on the verge of collapse.
They said that the contractors and personnel of the government departments concerned colluded for financial gains. They said it was a pattern where contractors would compromise on quality and get away with it with the collusion of inspectors. They also alleged political interference in contracts.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2023.
Source link: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2438328/hairpur-rhc-still-nonfunctional