The Punjab government has decided to close down 18 dispensaries being run under the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation phase-wise for want of funds, depriving the people of medical facilities at their doorsteps.
Dispensaries were established in Union Council (UC) 1 Ratta Amral, UC-2 Dhoke Ratta, UC-4 Dhoke Matkial, UC-15 Sirajia Park, UC-22 Dhike Kala Khan, UC-30 Chah Sultan, UC-31 Dhoke Hakamdad, UC-32 Amarpura, UC-34 Banni, UC-36 Mohanpura, UC-38 Workshop Mohallah, UC-44 Dhoke Khabba, and UC-45 Chaman Zar, by local government authorities to provide better medical facilities to the people of the area at their doorsteps.
However, the provincial government has instructed the district health authorities to shut down the facilities and imposed ban on recruitment of new staff due to shortage of funds.
Majority of the staff members have already retired after reaching age of Superannuation. At present there are only four medical officers, three dispensers and two lady health visitors, who are looking after some dispensaries, while the rest are being run by sweepers and watchmen.
One of the medical officers, Dr Muhammad Tahir, has been appointed Executive District Officer (EDO) Health.
According to the EDO Health, no new staff was being recruited and with the retirement of existing ones, the buildings of relevant dispensaries, which were the property of Health Department, would be handed over to the local government.
He, however, said the local government representatives, if desired, could make the dispensaries functional by recruiting new staff.
