Two Dead, Dozens Injured in Kohistan Accident

Shazia Mehboob

Kohistan: A tragic incident occurred in the Kolai Palis area of Kohistan, resulting in the death of two women and injuries to 18 others people when a vehicle plunged into a deep gorge in District Kolai Palas  of Kohistan on Saturday.

According to sources from the Health Department in Kohistan, two women lost their lives on the spot, and the remaining individuals, comprising both men and women, suffered various injuries, including fractures.

The critically injured victims were referred to Battagram and Ayub Medical Complex Abbottabad for advanced medical care, while those with minor injuries are receiving treatment at THQ, Kohistan.Rescue 1122 sources reported that the pickup, carrying over 20 family members en route to a marriage ceremony, veered off the road and fell into the gorge.

The incident led to the immediate death of two women, while 18 others, including women, children, and men, sustained injuries.

In response to the emergency, the District Emergency Officer in Lower Kohistan mobilized a medical team and all available ambulances to the accident site, providing initial medical aid to the injured.

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Initially, the injured were transported to the district hospital in Pattan, and subsequently, those with severe injuries were transferred to Ayub Medical Colleges in Abbottabad after receiving first aid.

The authorities are actively involved in managing the aftermath of the incident and providing necessary medical assistance to the affected individuals. 

Missing Health Facilities in Kolai Palas Spark Concerns

According to local sources, there is a critical lack of basic health facilities in District Kolai Palas of Kohistan. Due to this, the victims of the fatal accident were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQs) in Lower Kohistan. However, only two doctors were available at the Lower Kohistan hospital, which has also been grappling with a prolonged shortage of medical staff.In a commendable act of humanity, volunteer doctors, including Dr Noor Muhammad, Dr Aurangzeb, Dr Salman, Dr Muhammad Zia, and Dr Ziaurehman, promptly rushed to the hospital to share responsibilities with the in-house medical staff.

DHQ Lower Kohistan, with 23 allocated doctor positions, currently has only two appointed doctors, leaving the rest unfilled for many years.

Despite the persistent shortage of medical staff and other health facilities, the DHQ hospital continues to serve not only the residents of Lower Kohistan but also those from District Kolai Palas and its surrounding areas.

The dearth of essential health facilities in the Kohistan region, particularly in District Kolai Palas, is a longstanding public health problem. This ongoing challenge significantly impacts hundreds and thousands of residents in the region, underscoring the pressing need for immediate attention and resolution.