Sunday

An Interview with Dr. Iqbal, DHO Hunza-Nagar


Readers Time
Interviewed by: Shamsuddin Muhammad
Health, food supply, education and energy sector are some of crucial areas that governments in past have given least attention. And among them, the vulnerable condition of health and power facilities across Hunza has caused to increase miseries of locals who are currently in state of war with natural forces after Attaabad land slide.

HUNZA: Dr. Iqbal, giving interview to RDs Times. Readers' Time Photo

According to available statics, the nascent Hunza-Nagar district has total population of around 1,28,867 individuals with an area of around 14,560 square kilometer; it comprises two subdivisions, four tehsils, 15 union councils:8 in Hunza and 7 in Nagar. To a population more than 0.129 million, only five government run hospitals with total capacity of 55 bed strength along with 13, though many ghost dispensaries exists with only five family physicians. Similarly, contrary to the claims of current regime for having commitment to eliminate critical diseases, there are only 2 technicians for T.B control programme for the whole district.
Federal government through Self rule empowerment and reform package, 2009 has taken few initiatives in Gilgit-Baltistan around half an year ago. Civil hospital Aliabad, which has been the only one male family physician for scattered population. Doctor Iqbal is the head of district head quarter hospital and supposed to make efforts to cater the needs of population of both Hunza and Nagar was upgraded with the completion of PC-4, thirty bed hospital in its premises into District Head Quarter hospital. Gilgit-Baltistan government fulfilling its pledge of provision of health facilities appointed a district health officer in March 2010. Doctor Iqbal Haider is currently working as District Health officer (DHO). Readers Time has conducted an interview which is being published for readers.

RDsTime: Would you please tell us about your education and work experience in your career?
Dr. Iqbal: Well, I did my graduation from Ayub medical college, Abbotabad in 1998. Then I opted for Family PlanningAssociatin for Pakistan in September and served by the ended of 2000. I joined World Health Organization in 2000 and worked there by the end of 2005. During this tenure, I completed Diploma in Health Care System Management from college of Physicians and Surgion, Karachi Pakistan. Then I was able to complete Master in Public Health (MSPH) within next two years from Qaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. In April 2005, I was sellected as Assistant district Health officer in Gilgit and worked till the mid of year 2009. Then I was appointed by Federal Service Commission Islamabad as District Health Officer (DHO) in April, 2010 and since am working in the same capacity here in Hunza-Nagar district.

RDs Time: Gilgit-Baltistan government created new district health office to upgrade and ensure health facilities inHunza-Nagar. But since its creation no change occurred, rather proved a nine days wonder during days of alert. what was reason behind that?
Dr. Iqbal: Actually, when I assumed responsibilities as District Health Officer of the nascent Hunza-Nagar district,I found multitude of problems ranging from lack of general medicines to round the clock medical staff to tackle emergency cases. Realizing the dire situation, I did my best to ensure possible medical facilities. You know, there was a hype of flesh floods in down stream ahead of spill in May, 2010. Besides fulfillment of my duties, I had to ensure my presence to answer any question by media persons in the head quarter hospital, my service station and accompanying VIPs visits, simultaneously. In this critical time, when I constantly faced shortage of resources, I utilized the experience, skills and knowledge retained during services with UN agencies.

RDs Time: You said that you faced both personnel and medicines even on the peak of possible disaster. While, according to independent resources, both of them influx in the region from doner agencies. Where they gone?
Dr. Iqbal: I agree that many Donner agencies provided both medicines and personnel as a contribution in relief operations. Yet, a large portion of them has been utilized by proper distribution among the major hospitals and supporting basic health units both in Up and down stream. Provincial, federal and regional government constantly provided with us required back up when needed. As for as the quantity of medicines and number of personnel are concerned, as per plan was allocated with respect of the population of zones in the district. Our staff remain vigilant 24/7 and our ambulance service provided maximum facility in hour of need.

RDs Time: It is said that there are insufficient staff to ensure smooth running of facilities. Similarly, few who exist have been entrusted work beyond their capacity. Local public circles blame GB bureaucracy for resorting to delaying tactics to employ non-local people. Do you feel comfortable enough to dispense duties in the existing situation?
Dr. Iqbal: As for as the creation of positions in the new set-up here in Hunza-Nagar district is concerned, that is actually job of Gilgit-Baltistan Planning and services department. I personally have forwarded request for provision of properpersonnel and infrastructure. Nevertheless, there is no any response from respective departments yet. The existing structure requires at least 52 staff compared to only eight staff working currently. I am actually driven by zeal for service of humanity; and being a son of the soil, I did not voice over even personal perks being provided to the same in other areas of the region.I still draw the pay lower than the scale of my appointment is an evidence of that

RDs Time: As you aforementioned that currently you do have very insufficient staff to deliver the work especially those who render medical services to the masses. What did you have done to overcome obstacle if the GB government remains ignorant to the demand of proper staff on pretext of scarcity of funds?
Dr. Iqbal: I explicitly mentioned here that we do have few staff compared to the current need. At the time of creation of the district health office, I managed to bring existing ones from different hospitals of Hunza and Nagar. Planning and services departments still silent over my proposal of additional staff for unknown reasons. I have clearly mentioned the supporting staff to DHO, establishment and recruitment of staff for Disaster Health management office, and Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI) and allocation of fund for cold rooms. We have currently very few base line indicators to curve the infant mortality rates and our proposal also include a special allocation of funds in this regard in health sector in the budget.

RDs Time: We have had a single family physician (medical officer) to cater the needs of hundreds of thousands of indigenous masses having low income sources who rely on government run medical facilities. No additional medical staff especially the lady doctors have been appointed in the major hospitals. Why is this so?
Dr. Iqbal: Well, one major reason behind lack of appointment of additional is that the newly appointed medical doctors were reluctant to render their services in the valleys of the region that lack facilities ranging from communications to proper accommodation. Moreover, they argue that there exist very little avenues for private practice. That is why, medical professionals even those pertain to the GB region prefer to opt for cities instead of towns and villages. And the regulation and monitoring is the task of services department that can answer this question well.

RDs Time: There equipments outside the operation theater for more than a year. With the creation of district health office people cherished expectations for better facilities through immediate instalation. But nothing could get done and lyingvulnerably in open air? Why these could not be installed to reduce depreciation cost?
Dr. Iqbal: Basically, these equipments were purchased last year for ongoing PC-4 extension. We managed to keep them outside the operation theater to create space for minor surgical cases. Soon we hope to installed it as soon as the extension projectgets complete.

RDs Time: Patients complaint that they were not provided medicines for even minor illnesses and used to ask to purchase them on high prices from markets. What is your approach to address it?
Dr. Iqbal: I agree that there is lack of medicines in most of hospitals. Truly speaking, we get a cerain share from regional quota semi annually. This small quantity from quota is distributed among different hospitals. Health sector is another main sector still ignored in fiscal budget. We try our best to deliver and provide what we posses to the patients. We are optimistic to get additional share from qouta in the near future and that would solve the issue of lack of medicines
adequately.

RDs Time: What is response of public representatives over the constant hurdles in the way of provision of effective medical facilities. Did any one of our representative visit you to listen to you to resolve them?
Dr. Iqbal: Yes, recently finance minister Muhammad Ali Akhtar and Speaker Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) in the brief meeting has pledged to hand over PC-4 within in next two months and to provide required staff for. They are constantly in contact and listened to the problems with open heart. Lets hope for better.

RDs Time: Thanks for sparing few moments from your busy schedule!
Dr. Iqbal: Your are always welcome.

Manzoor Eleven red won defence day commemorating tournament;

Recreational activities a healthy trend for moderate societies: Rani Attiqa
RDs Times Report
HUNZA, September: Manzoor eleven won final match of defence day commemorating smash tournament held on September 14, 2010. In the best of five, Manzoor eleven entitled the victory by 3 sets after an exciting match. The smash event coupled with a marathon race of three four kilometers was started in afternoon. Winner and runner up teams' players presented with dance over local traditional tunes. Rani Attiqa Ghazanfar Ali Khan, contestant in the recent GBLA elections for GBLA and Mir of Hunza who was chief guest in the final event gave away medals and trophies to the prominent players and the teams on board.

Speaking at the moment, Rani Ghazanfar said that arrangement of recreational events are necessary to engage our educated youth in healthy activities. She praised the manner and the discipline maintained by amateurs and participants of the games. She called on the people present at the moment to help affectees saying rest of country suffered a huge disaster including various areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and this may divert attention of government towards Attaabad land slide affectees. She announced Rs. 10,000 cash as contribution for KCSC and Rs.1,000 for each team. "Arrangement of such an interesting event amidst disasters and uncertainities that hit people alike across the country was a remakable venture on part of KCSC," she added.

HUNZA, Karimabad: The guy here above in this picture is not on the run to save his life from any danger, rather he was the one who covered distance of 4.35 kilometer in 17.50 minutes securing first position in the merathon. VoH Photo

Other guests namely Iftikhar Hussein of Ganish Heritage trust, Shanawar Khan, and others gave away medals to the players of wining and runner up teams of the final event. According to the details of KCSC, following result was declared during price distribution ceremony.

Name of Event Winner Name Sets entitled
Smash Volleyball Manzoor Eleven Red 3
Man of the match Nisar of Manzoor 11
Man of the series Nasir of Aliabad S.Star -
4 Km Marathon Rahmet Karim of Karimabad - 1

While Aliabad Super Star remained as runner up team as it could not win even a single set against manzoor eleven. In five kilometer long marathon, Rehmet Karim of Karimabad, Sulaiman of Ahmedabad and Sartaj of Karimabad stood first, second and third,covering the distance with in 17 and 17.50 minutes respectively.

Gilgit-Baltistan Development Forum starts in Gilgit

Readers Time Monitor
By Asghar Khan
GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Development Forum started at Serena Hotel in Gilgit yesterday. Held under the theme “Harnessing Potential”, the forum attracted artisans, traders, entrepreneurs and local NGOs who also showcased their products as part of an exhibition held alongside the forum.
The forum was attended by chief minister, members of the Gilgit – Baltistan Legislative Assembly, secretary tourism and other government officials besides officials of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), sponsor of the forum.
Chief Minister, Mehdi Shah, in his speech said that around 50,000 MW of electricity can be generated using the water resources of Gilgit – Baltistan. He also said that more than 50 Gold mines are found in the region. The CM also said that rights of investors will be protected through legislation.
Speakers emphasized that investors can play an important role in economic uplift of the region by putting their money in energy, minerals and tourism industry. Courtesy: pamirtimes.net

Saturday

Partcipants vows to initiate comprehensive collaborative efforts to eridicate Tiber Closis; 42 new cases identified during first two quarters in Hunza

RDs Time Report
HUNZA, Karimabad, September: Collaborative concious and comprehesive efforts are need of the hour to eridicate Tiber Closis, a silent killer in the region; Victims do not disclose the symptoms for T.B is considered as a mean and abominable disease in the society. These views were expressed by participants during a one day media adovacy session by T.B control unit under the banner of Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) programme in collaboration with Aga Khan Health Services Pakistan (AKHSP) and few foreign NGOs here at a local hotle in Karimabad, Hunza on Wednesday. T.B control unit sought suggestions regarding new approaches, from media circles to implement initiative efficiently and effectively with in given periphery. Fida Nagri,social mobilizer T.B control unit shed light on efforts being done to keep the menace under control.Presenting his views, since last four years of its creation.Mr. Iftikhar Hussain said that those affected by this disease hardly disclose as it has had considered as abominable fatal disease. He emphasized to create more awarness through involving elders, scholars, writers, poets and other civil society members to educate general masses about the causes, affects and cure to disease.













Hunza:( Above to the left) Participants of one day media advocacy session listening attentively to the speakers. (Above to the right) Participants give feed back for friendly engagement in TB control initiative at various levels.















Hunza:(Below left ) Facilitators of the session elaborating objectives and the targets. (Below right) A group photo of participants of the session along the facilitators.

Salman Khan and Sherbaz Kalim of Devako production vowed to support the cause through specific programmes, plays and drammas to highlight the disease and its in time cure especially through local cable net works in Hunza-Nager district. Amjad Hussain emphasized on a new approach- awareness at school level: children easily get the point and discuss that with their parents and there is larger chance of awareness than any other mean. Participants agreed to play their role through writings, presentations and debates in public in order to convince if any affected for cure.
Later Basharat Hussain delievered a detailed presentation on the current situation in Hunza-Nagar. According to the statistics shared here, following cases were identified in the district:

Month Year Cases Types
June 2007 18 *P.T.B; E.P.T.B
June 2008 Do Do
June 2009 60 Do
June 2010 92 Do

*Palmonery Tiber Closis, Exra-Palmonery Tiber Closis

According to the medical experts on Tiber Closis, a German scientist Robert Koch discovered T.B virus for the first time in 1882. According to the WHO's findings, those with 1 lakh viruses containging within one milimiter level is said to be affected by the disease.

Region divides over Eid celebrations, Shia community announces Eid on Friday;

Security beefed up in Gilgit , Skardu city; Heartiest wishes on the occasion of Eid to readers from Readers' Time
GILGIT, BALTISTAN, September 10: Like the rest of the country, Gilgit-Baltistan region too experiencing division on the question of Eid. According to available information, Agh Rahat-ul-Husseini, Imam-e-Juma, Shia Muslims declared on Thursday night lately that after acquiring numerous moon sighting evidences, after a detailed meeting, Eid would be observed on Friday,September 10, 2010. Similarly, religious authorities in Baltistan too announced Eid as par in Gilgit and outskirts.
Followers of the faith offered Eid prayers amidst tight security arrangements as law enforcement agencies took control of prayer halls and Eidgahs from early morning in Gilgit, Skardu and Ghanche and allowed participants only after passing through explusive detecting devices installed at different entry points. On the other hand, other reliegious authorities of Islam like Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamat, Tanzeem-E-ahle Sunnat and rest of communities have announced the Eid would be celebrated on Saturday, Septeber 11, 2010. The whole Nagar too celebrated Eid on Friday while most of the region in Hunza which comprises Ismaili community in majority observed Eid on Saturday because uncertainty and late announcement regarding sighting of the moon left people in bewilderment.
The whole country has also divided into two halves on the question of Eid-ul-Fitr consequently, Eid was observed on 10 th September, 2010. While a major portion of ountry's population is observing Eid celebrations today on Saturday 11 September, 2010. Muslims observe this mega event at the end of thirty day's fasting, an important factor of Islamic faith right from its rise.
We, the team of Readers time like to extend our heartiest wishes to all our valuable readers and saying you all " Happy Eid day" amidst fear, uncertainty and apprehensions due to constantly deteriorating law and order situation in almost every province of the country. We have not forgotten those all irrespective of their faith, as the Eid actually means to celebrate and forget griefs pray for those in troubles in the wake of floods and land sidings " May lord bring every human being out of poverty, oppression and misery.