Daily Times

Sir: This is with reference to a recent letter published in Daily Times by Murli Dhar. He has rightly drawn the attention of the higher authorities towards the establishment of a medical college and university in Tharparkar. Thar has been in the headlines lately due to the adversities of drought. I also belong to Thar and had served there for several years after returning from England. I differ a little with Dr Murli on Thar lacking a healthcare infrastructure. In fact there are numerous dispensaries, basic health units, rural health centres, taluka hospitals and civil hospitals in Thar. Many of these facilities are housed in big buildings. The problem is that these facilities do not have trained people, i.e. doctors, nurses and other medical staff to run them efficiently. It is very hard for outsiders to live and work in the harsh conditions of Tharparkar. This is where the need for a medical college arises in Thar. We have to produce and train indigenous manpower. It will open up new avenues of development. Other than a medical college, a paramedical institute is also needed. We have to make the local Tharis self-sufficient and give them charge of their own affairs. A medical university could be established at the divisional headquarter, Mirpurkhas. More people should come forward to support the establishment of a medical college in Tharparkar.

Prof Dr Muhammed Mubarak
Karachi