By Wadood Mehsud
South Waziristan؛ The Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Ladha, South Waziristan, is facing a severe shortage of basic health facilities, forcing the local population to travel long distances in search of medical care. The absence of essential medicines and medical equipment in a hospital serving a population of thousands has raised serious questions about the performance of the District Health Officer (DHO) and the overall health department.
According to hospital administration, while some basic first-aid medicines are available, the Outpatient Department (OPD) is critically under-equipped, leaving daily visitors without proper treatment options.
Sources reveal that prior to Operation Rah-e-Nijat, the hospital was equipped with essential machinery, including an X-ray machine, but over the years, most of these facilities have disappeared. Locals claim that the hospital has steadily declined in performance, with little to no attention from the concerned authorities.
Residents have demanded that the hospital be upgraded to a Category-D Hospital, which would ensure the permanent presence of qualified doctors, necessary medical equipment, and a regular supply of medicines. Locals further stated that traveling dozens of kilometers daily for basic healthcare is both physically and financially distressing.
Community members have appealed to the government and health department to take immediate notice and implement practical steps for the restoration and upgradation of Ladha Tehsil Hospital.
