CM says provision of efficient healthcare facilities top priority

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan said that provision of efficient healthcare facilities to the people was one of the top most priorities of his government.

He directed to settle down the land issue for Indus hospital project and fix clear direction within a week, so that this longstanding project could be translated into reality.

He was presiding over a meeting at Chief Minister Secretariat, Peshawar. Provincial Minister for health Hisham Inaam Ullah, Advisor to Chief Minister on Merged Districts Affairs and Spokesman of Provincial Government Ajmal Khan Wazir, MPA Dr. Sumaira Malik, administrative secretaries of concerned Departments, Dr. Abdul Bari from Indus Hospital Karachi and the other concerned authorities attended the meeting.

The meeting was briefed about the issues regarding Indus Hospital Project Peshawar, de-worming initiative of school age children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and school as center for child protection and development.

The meeting also discussed and reviewed the mechanism for implementation on Indus Hospital Project. The Chief Minister directed for visible progress on the project emphasizing to start work on project proposal and resolve the issue of land on priority basis.

His government would ensure establishment of this hospital in order to provide efficient and best health facilities to the poor and needy people, he added.

The meeting was also briefed about the de-worming initiative of school age children and told that there were nineteen districts at risk in this regard needing special attention and awareness campaign.

It was revealed in the meeting that de-worming initiative of Provincial Government would have positive impacts on the health, education and livelihood of children.

The meeting was also briefed about the way forward to implement this program under which the children of government schools, private schools, Madaris and non school children of 19 districts would be targeted.

Round about 45000 teachers would be trained in 30,000 schools of 19 districts already identified. Program would be started from the mid of April 2019 and a comprehensive awareness drive for general public would also be launched right before starting this program formally.

The Chief Minister agreed in principle with this proposal however, he underlined the need to review and reconsider the data of schools to be targeted and directed the quarter concerned to devise a practicable plan in this regard and assured that Provincial government will extend every possible support for the purpose.

He also approved nomination of focal person from the government for coordination and monitoring of this project. Regarding the school as center of child protection initiative, the meeting was proposed to introduce awareness materials in the curriculum of schools in order to protect the children particularly secure them from sexual harassment. Teachers would also be trained for this purpose.

The Chief Minister also agreed with the proposal and directed to make mechanism in consultation with social welfare and education departments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.