Tourist hub Sost residents endure tragic losses as hospital faces prolonged delays

GIGLGIT: The 25-bed hospital in Sost, the last town of Hunza bordering China, has remained nonfunctional for more than four years, resulting in the tragic loss of numerous lives.

Despite the strategic importance of the town, which sees thousands of tourists en route to the Khunjerab Pass yearly, the hospital remains closed, exacerbating the toll during peak tourist season when road accidents become frequent.

The hospital project, initiated in 2017, was aimed at providing much-needed medical services to the local population and visitors alike. However, even after the building was completed in 2021, it has yet to become operational. This prolonged delay has raised concerns among residents, who have been left without access to basic healthcare, especially in emergencies.

Hakima Sultana, President of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Gilgit-Baltistan Women’s Wing, expressed her frustration while speaking to HUM News English. “The project was started in 2017 during PML-N government, and the building was completed in 2021. Yet, almost five years later, the hospital is still non-functional.”

She further mentioned that during a recent meeting with Governor Mehdi Shah of Gilgit-Baltistan, there were assurances that the hospital would be inaugurated on September 5. However, that, too, has turned out to be another political statement. “The public is waiting, but in the meantime, many lives have been lost due to the lack of timely medical assistance.”

According to her, recent incidents underscore the gravity of the situation. “A 4-year-old girl recently passed away due to a lack of first aid, as the nearest functional hospital is in Gulmit, a 40-minute drive from Sost. Similarly, a 55-year-old man who suffered a heart attack could not be saved due to the absence of even basic emergency services,” she added

The residents of Sost remain in distress, pleading for the hospital’s immediate opening and proper functioning. With no clear timeline in sight, the fear of further loss of life looms large over the community.

The lack of healthcare facilities in such a critical area has not only highlighted the healthcare challenges in the region but also exposed the gap between political promises and actual service delivery. As the tourist season continues and road accidents remain a constant threat, the call for urgent action grows louder.

When contacted, Col (retd) Obaidullah Baig, Member of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly from Hunza, explained the hospital’s delay, attributing it to unfinished work by contractors and missing equipment. He mentioned that essential machinery, including an X-ray machine and other electronic facilities, were still not installed.

Baig revealed that while the health department, along with the governor, had pushed for the hospital’s opening, he opposed its premature inauguration. “The hospital’s current state, with inadequate facilities, would make it impossible to provide proper care. I preferred waiting for a fully functional hospital rather than rushing its opening with incomplete services. Some pending work, including contractor-related tasks, still needs to be finalized,” he stated.

Baig further revealed that interviews for doctors were conducted on August 28, and orders for their final appointments are expected soon. However, he highlighted the political challenges and government transitions that have hindered progress. “The hospital building was completed in 2021, but bureaucratic delays and administrative inefficiencies have prevented it from becoming functional,” he added.

Read more: Govt struggles to secure magic number for constitutional amendment

Baig assured that once all necessary equipment and personnel are in place, the hospital will be made operational. However, until then, the people of Sost remain caught in a frustrating wait, with lives hanging in the balance.