Sindh passes bill to set up child health institute

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Tuesday passed a law to establish the ‘Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology’, ARY News reported.

The bill was passed days after the Supreme Court directed Sindh government to hand over the administrative and operational control of the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) to the federal government,

The child health institute bill had been introduced in the Assembly on January 4 and subsequently referred to a special committee for second reading and amendments. “The law is being passed given the need of specialised health care for neonates and children,” said Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mukesh Kumar Chawla.

The law states that the institute will strive for the development of molecular science and genetic research for diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive purposes for all disorders affecting children. It will also undertake postgraduate teaching programs such as FCPS, MS, MD, PhD and other diplomas in the field of paediatrics and neonatology and all relevant fields in collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan and a university of medical or health sciences, recognised by the Higher Education Commission or the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.

According to the new law, technical expertise and trained human resource will be provided to all child emergency centres established in different health facilities of the provincial government.

Meanwhile, the Sindh Assembly on Monday unanimously passed Amal Umer Bill, seeking to provide medical aid and treatment to any injured person before completion of medico-legal formalities.

As per the bill passed by the provincial assembly of Sindh, all government and private hospitals of the province have been bound to provide immediate medical aid and treatment to the injured persons.