In the Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the only women's nursing college in the newly merged districts remains inactive, despite its completion in 2006. Although the college was scheduled to become operational in 2007, it has been left dormant for 18 years, rendering the significant investment from the public treasury practically wasted.
On February 16, 2007, a remote-controlled bomb explosion at Dara Salarzai claimed the life of Dr. Abdul Ghani, the head of the Bajaur Health Department, along with EPI technician Sirajuddin, and left four others injured. In honor of Dr. Abdul Ghani's sacrifice, the college was named after him.
Haji Tor Gul (a pseudonym), originally from Mamund, relocated to Khar to ensure his daughter's education. After her matriculation, he had no choice but to send her to another city to pursue nursing. "I left my hometown because there were no educational facilities for girls beyond primary school, but even in Khar, my dream of educating my daughter could not be fulfilled. Sending her to another city for education is a difficult decision in our conservative society," Gul shared.
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Gul believes that if elected representatives, senior health officials, and the administration make a genuine effort, the women’s nursing college in Bajaur could finally become operational, allowing many girls, including his daughter, to pursue their dream of a nursing education. "The costs of education outside our district, including accommodation, transportation, and other expenses, are beyond our means," he lamented.
A senior official from the Bajaur Health Department, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that in 2012, positions were approved for the college, including a principal, vice principal, three nursing tutors, a computer operator, a senior clerk, a housekeeper, a junior clerk, two drivers, four peons, two security guards, a cook, two sweepers, and two barrier attendants. While five of these positions were filled, the remaining 17 have yet to be staffed. One driver and two peons were hired during the tenure of former Political Agent Aamir Khattak, and two more individuals were appointed by court order.
The official further explained that two temporary principals were appointed, but the college was still not made functional. When Bajaur was part of FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) and under federal jurisdiction, the college fell under the Directorate of Health Services FATA, which did nothing to make it operational. After FATA's merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a new system was introduced, and the college was transferred to the Provincial Health Services Academy (PHSA) in 2020. However, PHSA has yet to take any concrete steps to activate the college, aside from two temporary principal appointments that were later rescinded. At one point, a former Brigadier was appointed as principal.
Dr. Wazir Khan Safi, the Medical Superintendent (MS) of District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Khar, noted that there are currently 56 nursing positions at the hospital, 45 of which are filled. The majority of these are male nurses, with 35 male nurses and only six female nurses on staff. Safi emphasized the pressing need for more female nurses at DHQ Hospital Khar, but the lack of local female nurses often leaves these positions vacant. Since many nursing appointments are made based on domicile, non-local nurses are often reluctant to come to Bajaur due to the lack of facilities, particularly housing. Consequently, male nurses have been appointed to fill the vacant positions meant for female nurses.
Dr. Hamid-ur-Rehman, a member of the Provincial Assembly from Bajaur and chairman of the District Development Committee (DDC), raised this issue in a recent provincial assembly session. He highlighted the struggles of the people of Bajaur, particularly female nursing students, due to the college's prolonged inactivity. The provincial health minister responded by assuring swift action to make the college operational.
Dr. Rehman pointed out that the delay in making the college functional not only forces students to seek admissions in nursing colleges in Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, Timergara, and other cities but also causes damage to valuable equipment. The college building and the adjacent hostel are both in poor condition. The hostel is currently being used by the nursing staff of DHQ Hospital, so efforts are being made on a priority basis to get the college up and running.
