LAKKI MARWAT: Disconnection of gas supply to the government city hospital in Lakki Marwat has affected the functioning of X-Ray machine, laboratory and other equipment during the electricity loadshedding hours, causing problems for the staff and the patients.

This was revealed during a surprise inspection visit to the hospital by deputy commissioner Mohammad Bakhtiar Khan on Saturday on public complaints that doctors did not turn up on time and that patients suffered due to disruption in healthcare delivery when the hospital sustained electricity outages.

The deputy commissioner also took serious notice of parking of cars and rickshaws in front of the OPD. He resented the apathy of the hospital administration for not taking any measures to keepX-Ray machine, laboratory and other facilities running during power loadshedding, and directed installation of uninterrupted power supply system to ensure the equipment was functional round the clock.

Mr Bakhtiar also expressed anger over shortage of medicines in different departments of the hospital despite the fact that the main medicine store had a stock of life saving drugs.

The deputy commissioner said he would contact SNGPL authoritiesforrestoration ofgasfacilityto the hospital.

ANTI-DENGUE CAMPAIGN: The education department officials and health experts have urged the heads of public sector schools to involve in anti-dengue campaign and disseminate the hazardous ef fects of the mosquitoborne disease to locals through students andteachers.

Speaking at a meeting on Saturday, they said the diseasecould prove fatal if preventive measures were not adopted. They stressed that people from all walks of life should play role in launching an effective dengue awareness drive in the district.

Ansarullah Khan, focal person forprovincialdirectorate ofhealth services, Peshawar, for Lakki and Bannu districts, briefed the participants about the symptoms, precautionary measures and treatment of the disease.

INJURED BOY DIES: A young boy who was shot and wounded by his friend died in a Peshawar hospital after fighting for life for 10 days.

Police said Farman Ali and Osman had argued during a board game. After the brawl, Osman went home, came back with a weapon and fired at his friend, seriously wounding Farman. He was shif ted to a local hospital from where he was referred to Peshawar in critical condition but he could not survive.