A two-day free medical camp delivered essential healthcare services to hundreds of people from underserved communities dwelling in remote alpine region of Kohistan district, where difficult terrain and long distances limit access to regular medical facilities.
Medical camp delivers healthcare to hundreds of underserved people in Kohistan’s remote alpine valley
PESHAWAR, Sep 03 (APP):A two-day free medical camp delivered essential healthcare services to hundreds of people from underserved communities dwelling in remote alpine region of Kohistan district, where difficult terrain and long distances limit access to regular medical facilities.
The camp jointly organized by Khagara Development Organization (KDO), KP Health Department and District Administration, provided medical consultations to around 310 female and 120 male patients and vaccination to 45 children, mostly zero dose, says Farah Shahid, Executive Director KDO.
Medical teams reached out to local population in remote Laidy Valley in the Kolai-Palas by travelling around 80 kilometres by road and then covered another 40 to 45 kilometres on foot through challenging mountainous terrain,” Farah Shahid shared.
The journey took a full day each way, but the difficult trek was worthwhile as the team was able to provide healthcare services to a community with very limited access to medical facilities.
The camp provided medical consultations, basic diagnostic services, medicines and childhood immunization to residents, particularly women and children living in remote mountainous settlements.
People from surrounding villages also travelled to the camp, with some walking for several hours to seek medical attention, she added.
Executive Director KDO thanked Deputy Commissioner Kohistan, Noor-ul-Ameen and District Health Officer, Dr. Pirzada Sahib for facilitating health team in reaching to mountainous Laidy Valley in the Kolai-Palas area to provide medical services to the local population.
Farah Shahid said the response from the local community was encouraging, with residents welcoming the visiting teams with traditional hospitality.
The visit also provided an opportunity for interaction between the visiting teams and local residents beyond healthcare services.
The community organized sports activities, including cricket matches and traditional horse races, bringing together people from different parts of the valley.
During the closing ceremony, Deputy Commissioner Noor-ul-Ameen distributed prizes among winners and participants of the sporting events, appreciating their participation and community spirit.
A notable moment of the visit was an interaction with Dada Damair Khan of the Hakim Khel tribe, who was reportedly 117 years old. The visiting team expressed appreciation for his hospitality and the opportunity to meet one of the valley’s elderly residents.
She said the experience demonstrated the importance of taking healthcare services directly to communities living in geographically isolated areas, particularly where difficult terrain and distance remain major barriers to accessing conventional health facilities.
