Questions raised over healthcare facilities at Sheikh Fatima Hospital in Sholam

WANA: A local resident has raised concerns over healthcare facilities and the performance of Sheikh Fatima Hospital in Sholam, Birmal tehsil of Lower South Waziristan, urging the hospital management and relevant authorities to make public details of the medical services provided to patients.

Saeed Anwar Wazir, a resident of Landay Warray in Sholam, said the hospital's management, Trans Continental Pharma (TCP), regularly shared information and photographs highlighting healthcare facilities on social media. However, he maintained that the public should be provided with verified performance figures rather than promotional material alone.

He claimed that patients and their attendants faced difficulties in accessing certain medical services, particularly during nighttime emergencies.

Mr Wazir expressed concern over the availability of specialist doctors, trained medical staff and essential equipment in the hospital's dialysis, gynaecology and trauma departments.

He said patients requiring specialised treatment were sometimes forced to travel to Wana, Dera Ismail Khan and other cities, resulting in additional financial burdens and possible delays in receiving medical care.

Questioning the hospital's performance, he asked how many patients visited the outpatient department (OPD) daily, how many were admitted and how many received emergency care, dialysis, surgical procedures and maternity services.

He urged the hospital management to release a comprehensive performance report covering the past six months or one year, including patient statistics, the availability of specialist doctors, nursing and paramedical staff, medicines, medical equipment and round-the-clock healthcare services.

Mr Wazir also called for greater transparency in the hospital's administration and the utilisation of public funds, saying residents had a right to know how available resources were being spent on patient care and essential medical facilities.

He stressed that Sheikh Fatima Hospital was an important healthcare institution for the people of South Waziristan and that its performance should be assessed independently to identify shortcomings and improve medical services where necessary.

He urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, the Lower South Waziristan district administration and other relevant authorities to review the hospital's performance, particularly its emergency, dialysis, gynaecology and trauma services, and take steps to ensure timely and adequate healthcare for local residents.