CM takes notice of rising infant mortality in Upper Chitral

PESHAWAR: Taking notice of the rising infant mortality rate in Upper Chitral district, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has directed the  health department for immediate steps to address the issue of deficiency of healthcare practitioners including lady doctors and skilled  lady health visitors (LHVs) in the health service delivery outlets of the district. 

He has also directed for necessary steps on a priority basis for the upgradation of  Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Booni to District Headquarters Hospital having basic specialists,  and to ensure the posting of specialist doctors therein. 

The chief minister made it clear that specialist doctors be posted to the hospital in the best public interest under the government posting transfer policy and no political pressure be entertained in this regard so that provision of basic healthcare facilities could be ensured to the people of the district at their door steps.

He issued these directives while chairing  a meeting held here the other day to review progress on the provision of basic health and education facilities in the backward areas of Malakand Division.

The chief minister also directed the authorities of health department to take necessary steps to address the shortage of doctors and other medical staff in the healthcare centres of Lower Chitral and Upper Dir and to submit a report on progress to this end.