Dera Bugti’s Healthcare System on Brink of Collapse, Officials Warn of Impending Disaster

The healthcare infrastructure in Dera Bugti district is facing a critical crisis, with medical professionals warning that a lack of government action is turning the situation into a "disaster" for the local population. The District Health Officer (DHO) has raised urgent concerns over the deteriorating condition of health facilities, a severe shortage of staff, and the growing threat of malnutrition, which is being exacerbated by a breakdown in community support systems.

In a series of official communications and internal discussions, the DHO, Dera Bugti, has highlighted a long-standing, unresolved issue: the complete neglect of the region's primary healthcare network. Key demands include the creation of new, sanctioned posts for the Rural Health Centre (RHC) in Zainkoh, a proposal that has been forwarded to higher authorities annually but remains unaddressed.

A System Overwhelmed and Understaffed

The official documentation reveals a system that is crippled by a lack of resources and personnel. A letter dated November 12, 2023, from the Office of the District Health Officer was recently re-submitted for the fiscal year 2026-27, pleading for the creation of new posts for the RHC. The persistent failure to approve these posts has left crucial health facilities severely understaffed.

"CDs [Civil Dispensaries] have completed their lifespan, and all 12 require immediate rehabilitation," sources within the DHO’s office stated. Furthermore, the RHC in Zainkoh, which is meant to serve a vast population, is operating without the necessary sanctioned staff, a problem the DHO says is submitted "every financial year but all in vain."

The situation is further strained by the urgent need for new health facilities in underserved areas. The DHO has requested new setups in Toba Nohkani, UCH, Moza Shazain, and Dibar Mat to meet the basic health needs of these growing communities. A specialized referral system and an MCH (Maternal and Child Health) center with Lady Health Visitor (LHV) posts are also urgently required in Zainkoh, Dibar Mat, Toba, Biam Shahi, and UCH. To retain medical staff, the DHO has also renewed a request for a dedicated doctors' hostel for both male and female doctors in Dera Bugti town.

Malnutrition Crisis Compounded by Social Issues

Beyond the infrastructure and staffing deficits, the region is facing a silent and growing "disaster" in the form of malnutrition, or "Ghizai Qillat." The DHO reported that while new centers have been established, three in Sui and three in Dera Bugti, to combat this issue and provide international-standard milk formula to children, a critical social hurdle has emerged.

"Parents admit their children for treatment only during the day, not for the required one week," the DHO stated, adding that the milk formula provided for treatment is reportedly being sold in the local market (Mandlon) instead of being given to the children. This alarming trend severely undermines the effectiveness of the nutritional programs and is contributing to the worsening health of children.

"A slow process of community awareness might be the only solution to this problem," a senior health official suggested.

Urgent Call to Action

Despite the repeated pleas and a clear roadmap for reform, the provincial government in Quetta has yet to take decisive action. The District Health Officer has forwarded a copy of the proposal to the Secretary of Health, Government of Balochistan, in a final appeal for intervention.

As the monsoon season approaches and the risk of waterborne diseases increases, health officials in Dera Bugti are bracing for a potential catastrophe. The combination of dilapidated infrastructure, a non-existent referral system, acute staff shortages, and a growing malnutrition crisis has created a perfect storm that threatens the lives of thousands in the district.

The Balochistan Dispatch will continue to follow this story and press for answers from the Health Department.