Mr. Rajveer Singh Sodha, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh on Human Rights, and Mr. Iqbal Detho, Chairperson of the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC), conducted a visit to the Civil Hospital Umerkot. They were accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner Umerkot - Mr. Naveed Rahman Larik and representatives of local civil society organizations. The purpose of the visit was to review ongoing human rights-related concerns within the health facility of District Headquarter, Umer Kot.
During the visit, the District Health Officer (DHO) - M Ali Nohri and the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Civil Hospital Umerkot - Dr. Fareed briefed the delegation on key operational, human resource, and financial challenges facing the hospital. The delegation was informed about several critical issues, including shortages of essential staff, lack of timely funding, and maintenance backlogs.
Particular concern was raised regarding the incomplete and substandard construction work within the hospital premises, which has adversely impacted service delivery. Additionally, the MS highlighted the non-functional solar energy system, originally installed to provide sustainable power to the facility. As a result of its malfunction, the hospital is forced to rely heavily on diesel generators, consuming approximately 100 liters of POL (petrol, oil, and lubricants) daily just to maintain basic services such as lighting, fans, and medical equipment for both in-house and outpatient care.
The visiting officials expressed serious concern over these deficiencies and assured that they would escalate the matter to the relevant provincial authorities for urgent remedial action. They emphasized the need for immediate measures to improve infrastructure, ensure functional renewable energy systems, and strengthen healthcare delivery according to SOPs of human rights, too.
