Residents protest shortage of doctors at Bajaur hospital

Lowi Mamund tehsil residents blocked the Inayat Kallay-Laghari Road on Monday to protest the lack of doctors and paramedics at their Category-D Hospital, located in Larkholozo. They argued that despite being established 15 years ago, the hospital has failed to provide adequate healthcare for the combined population of Lowi Mamund and War Mamund tehsils, estimated at around 600,000 people.

The protesters declared that the hospital, which was meant to serve as one of the largest public health facilities in the district, has yet to fulfill its purpose, with no doctors assigned to essential departments and no medicines available. They lamented that even the emergency department remained without medical personnel. Furthermore, they expressed frustration that patients were compelled to travel to the distant District Headquarters Hospital in Khar for treatment.

Demanding immediate action, the protesters called for the hospital to be provided with necessary doctors and equipment. The demonstrators disbanded after health officials pledged to address their concerns. In a separate incident, unidentified individuals destroyed the tomato crop of two farmers in the Ghakhi area of Lowi Mamund tehsil on Sunday night.

Residents reported that the tomatoes belonging to Sher Ali and Islam Gul, grown on a large piece of land, had been uprooted by unknown assailants. The residents denounced the act as inhumane and shameful, asserting that the farmers had no personal grievances against anyone in the area. They urged authorities to take action against the perpetrators and compensate the affected farmers for their losses.