NOORPUR THAL - The patients of Thal are facing numerous problems due to an acute shortage of doctors and medicines in all hospitals.
According to a survey conducted by The Nation, the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital is facing a lot of problems for the last two years because of unavailability of medicines and failing equipments. Only three doctors, against the approved strength of 17, are attending to outdoor and indoor patients as well as in the emergency which often remained packed with patients and their relatives around the clock. All accident, emergency and medico-legal cases are dealt at the emergency ward.
The hospital needs the appointment of a radiologist, 5 medical officers, a psychiatrist, dental surgeon, an eye specialist, a medical specialist, a female medical officer, a nursery for a newborns at children's ward and two OT assistant at operation theatre. X-ray machine is out of order and it is lying in the same condition.
The ambulance van of THQ is also out of order since 2010. It is pertinent to mention here that the higher authorities of health department did not show any interest in improving health facilities for the residents of Tehsil Noopur Thal.
Talking to The Nation Deputy District Health Officer Dr M Tahir said that he had conveyed the problem to the health department high-ups and a positive response was awaited. It was disclosed that residential quarters of medical staff had been destroyed. The hospital presently needs 7 sanitary workers for proper sanitation. The citizens said that there was a dire need of a police post on the hospital premises, especially in the emergency ward.
According to survey, basic health units of Khatwan, Jamali, Jharkil, Dadoowala, Bambool, Katimar, Pelowaince, Adhikot, Rangpur and Chan are also facing numerous problems due to an acute shortage of doctors and medicines.
 The residents of these villages appealed to high-ups to solve the problems of these BHUs.