Gilgit-Baltistan hospitals still without CT scan machines

GILGIT, March 14: The government of Gilgit-Baltistan has so far failed to install CT scan machines in three district headquarters hospitals of the region despite allocation of funds and its repeated promises with people.  “There are five DHQ hospitals and in the first phase these machines were to be installed in Gilgit, Diamer and Skardu,” said an official of the health department, seeking anonymity. He said that people of the region had been suffering a lot due to unavailability of this facility. When contacted, GB health minister Haji Gulbar said that a German NGO had provided funds and a company of the same country was supposed to supply the machines under a contract, but these had not arrived yet. He said that the government was aware of the people’s problems and was in contact with relevant people to expedite the process of supply of machines. RAINS, SNOWFALL: The Gilgit-Baltistan region has received rains and snowfall, while most valleys were engulfed by dense fog. The cold wave again gripped the region after the weather turned pleasant with the advent of spring season. In upper parts of the region, including Astor, Skardu, Gupis, Yasin, Tangir and Darel, snowfall paralysed life, but roads remained open to traffic. The local Met office said that the weather would remain overcast during next 24 hours and some areas might receive more rain and snowfall.–Dawn]]>