Khair Uddin Shadani
GARAM CHASHMA: An initial assessment of Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital Garam Chashma has been completed to identify staffing, equipment and infrastructure requirements for upgrading the facility to a fully functional Category D government hospital.
The assessment for the THQ hospital upgradation was conducted in consultation with Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Zia and covers services and resources provided by the government and Aga Khan Health Service Pakistan (AKHSP).
A formal request for the THQ hospital upgradation is being prepared for submission to the relevant authorities, while approval, funding and the creation of new posts remain pending, officials told Chitral Today.
According to the preliminary assessment, the hospital has 52 recorded personnel, including 35 government employees and 17 AKHSP staff. Some figures and job titles still require verification, and the final count will be confirmed against official staff records.
The assessment identifies major gaps in specialist services, nursing supervision and technical staff. The recorded medical workforce includes one government dental surgeon, four AKHSP medical officers and one gynaecologist. Specialists in medicine, general surgery, paediatrics, anaesthesia and radiology are not listed as available. Separate appointments for a medical superintendent and deputy medical superintendent are also not recorded.
The nursing staff list includes 13 government charge nurses, one head nurse and an AKHSP charge nurse entr. A nursing superintendent, pharmacist and physiotherapist are not listed as available. Several technical and clinical technology positions also remain unfilled according to the preliminary records.
THQ Hospital Garam Chashma currently provides general medical consultations, maternity-related services, family planning, dental care, laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging. However, general surgery, specialised paediatric and newborn care, and physiotherapy are not recorded as available. The shortage of specialists can force patients to travel to other facilities for treatment.
The bed inventory lists 10 medical beds, three gynaecology beds, one paediatric bed and two labour-room beds under AKHSP. No dedicated surgical or emergency beds are recorded. The building has three consultation rooms, six washrooms and an operating theatre, but a dedicated emergency area and some supporting facilities are not listed.
The operating theatre has an anaesthesia machine, operating table, lights, monitoring equipment, suction equipment, surgical instruments and sterilisation facilities. However, the availability of equipment does not mean surgical services are fully operational.
The assessment also identifies gaps in emergency equipment, including a defibrillator and a dedicated resuscitation unit.
AKHSP plays a significant role in laboratory services, pharmacy operations, medical waste management and other support services. The assessment identifies the need for blood bank services and records one small ambulance for patient transfers. Reliable ambulance coverage and appropriate emergency equipment are particularly important given the area’s distance, weather conditions and difficult road access.
The report recommends providing the hospital with the specialists, trained staff, equipment and recurring budget needed for full Category D operations. It also proposes exploring whether AKHSP could provide independent services from its own building in Izhar, Garam Chashma, once the government hospital becomes fully operational.
The proposal has not yet been agreed upon by the relevant institutions. Any change would require consultation with AKHSP and a clear plan covering building readiness, staff and equipment ownership, and continuity of patient care.
The assessment and proposed application will be submitted through the relevant authorities, seeking a practical plan based on the hospital’s official classification, sanctioned posts, available staff and resource requirements. The report recommends assigning budgets, responsible departments and completion timelines to each identified gap.
For proposed upgradation aims to improve access to specialist treatment, emergency care and essential hospital services for local residents.
Related:
THQ hospital Garam Chashma: neglected and in crisis
Chitral hospitals ill-prepared to tackle pandemic
83 doctors sent to Chitral but no woman doctor for THQ hospitals