MIRPUR KHAS: Almost half of the sanctioned posts of medical practitioners in the largest healthcare facility of the entire division, Civil Hospital Mirpurkhas, have been left vacant for unknown reasons. These posts are inclusive of the chairs of gynecologist, general physicians, orthopedic surgeon and ancillary medical staff. The fact was revealed in a meeting of District Council Mirpurkhas, convened by the chairman of the council, Anwar Talpur to discuss the issues of health and education sector. Members of the council were informed that out of total 507 sanctioned posts of doctors and para-medical staff in the hospital, 254 were lying vacant. The 260-bed hospital has an annual budget of Rs44.8m and there were 253 doctors and other staffers posted in the hospital, he said. “Although one civil hospital, two taluka hospitals, 34 dispensaries, 107 Rural Health Centers, 38 Basic Health Units, nine maternity centers, two Shifkhanas and 57 laboratories are operating in the district, people are being deprived of basic health facilities,” he observed. Council members demanded of improving health facilities by overcoming shortage of doctors and paramedical staff and ensuring provision of medicines in the government run hospitals. They also demanded restoration of hepatitis program and trauma center in the civil hospital.