Lack of Infrastructure and Basic Facilities Plague Jhalawan Medical College in Balochistan

QUETTA:Balochistan, despite being under constant attention by the authorities, continues to suffer from a severe lack of basic amenities such as education, healthcare, transportation, and employment opportunities. While provincial leaders often make bold claims about progress and development, the ground reality remains starkly different.

One of the most glaring examples of governmental neglect is the Jhalawan Medical College, which has been left in a state of disarray despite numerous promises over the years. The provincial government issued orders for the establishment of three medical colleges in the region, but the lack of a clear policy and proper management led to corruption, with funds intended for the college’s infrastructure being misappropriated.

The Jhalawan Medical College, which remains without its own building, continues to conduct classes in a technical college building that it shares with other institutions. In contrast, the Loralai Medical College and Makran Medical College have received proper facilities and are thriving. However, Jhalawan Medical College has yet to be equipped with essential infrastructure such as a teaching hospital, hostels for students, or accommodation for the faculty.

In 2018, tenders were issued for the construction of the college’s building, but due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, local political interference, and lack of follow-through, the project has been delayed year after year. This year’s provincial budget again neglected the needs of Jhalawan Medical College, leaving it in limbo.

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Commission has warned that the college’s registration could be revoked, putting the future of hundreds of students at risk. The failure to provide necessary infrastructure would also result in a significant injustice to the local population, who have long been deprived of basic healthcare and educational opportunities.

Human rights organizations and student unions have expressed growing concern, calling for immediate action from the provincial government. They are demanding the release of necessary funds for the construction of the college, teaching hospital, and hostels, as well as accountability for the mismanagement of funds in previous years.

Health and education are fundamental human rights, and the people of Balochistan deserve better. Local activists are planning peaceful protests and lobbying for the government to prioritize the completion of the Jhalawan Medical College, which is crucial for the region’s development and the welfare of its residents.

The government must act swiftly to resolve this crisis before more students’ futures are jeopardized and the people of Balochistan are further marginalized.