QUETTA: Despite the provincial government’s tall claim about the development in health sector, shocking figures reveal that 22 out of the Balochistan’s 36 districts have no female doctors for women patients.
According to report published in the local media outlet, it claimed that only 14 districts in the Balochistan have gynecologists, while the rest of the districts lack this essential service in the hospitals.
Official in the Health Department disclosed that although records show female doctors posted in certain areas, many are absent from their assigned hospitals. Most prefer postings in urban centers like Quetta, leaving rural women to treat their own wounds and illnesses without professional care.
According to the figure obtained from the health department, it revealed that out of 980 female doctors in Balochistan, 739 are stationed in Quetta alone. Remote districts such as Chagai and Dera Bugti have none at all, while Barkhan, Awaran, and Usta Muhammad have just one each. In 11 districts, the number of female doctors is fewer than 10.
The Health Department maintains that four major maternal and child health programs are underway, now being merged under a “one-window operation.” But critics ask: what good are programs when hospitals are empty?
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Authorities also claim that 1,600 community midwives have been provided workstations, but problems like lack of security, facilities, and housing remain unaddressed — replaced instead by press statements.
