LAKKI MARWAT, Nov 28: The district headquarters hospital was wearing a deserted look when Deputy Commissioner Zafar Ali Shah paid a surprise visit to it on Wednesday night, according to sources.

They said that the 200-bed hospital, built at a cost of over Rs200 million, could not be made fully functional that multiplied problems of the residents of the entire district. Many doctors and paramedics at the hospital were not taking interest in their duty and usually remained absent, they alleged.

Taking action on public complaints, the deputy commissioner paid surprise visit to the hospital on Wednesday night and found almost all the departments of the hospital closed.

Even X-ray, laboratory and other facilities were also closed at the hospital. Only a doctor and two paramedics were present on duty to run the district hospital, sources said.

The deputy commissioner sought a detailed report from medical superintendent and district health officer about the hospital`s affairs. He also said that the government employees, who were not interested in performing duty, would be sacked.

Meanwhile, chairing a meeting at his office Mr Shah asked the traders to shift their businesses to the new vegetable market situated on Manjiwala link road near the Gambila River.

He directed the officials of municipal committee to provide latrines, drinking water and other facilities to the traders at the new market.

The deputy commissioner said that the administration would seal private vegetable markets if the traders did not shift their businesses to the new market till Dec 27.