Thar’s dilemma: Sindh CM directs to set up medical camps   

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday directed the health department to set up medical camps in every district so as to deal with with the health issues as a result of drought-like situation in Tharparkar.

While presiding over a high level-meeting, Murad Ali Shah asked health department to seek assistance of medical universities in providing medical facilities to the people of Thar.

Secretary Health Usman Chachar briefed the meeting and admitted that 398 children died in 2015 in Thar, 479 in 2016, 450 in 2017 and 505 in 2018.

Murad Ali Shah directed the health department to implement mother health programme in its true letter and spirit. He directed Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Shah and Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah to review the Drought Mitigation Act and give a detailed presentation to him so that it could be implemented with necessary improvements.

The chief minister was informed that 18 small dams have been completed at a cost of Rs2.583 billion. The meeting was informed that 587 RO plants are working in different areas of Thar.

The chief minister was told that 726,602 animals have been vaccinated. The chief minister directed Livestock and Wildlife departments to provide fodder, treatment of animals and wildlife in the remotest areas.

The chief minister said that Social Welfare department is launching cash transfer progarmme for pregnant and lactating women. Under the programme, 2300 women would be given conditional cash of Rs1500 for 13 visits to health facilities and Rs4000 on  the time of delivery to each woman.

He also directed the health department to establish a health Information Management System not only for Thar but for while Sindh.

Sindh Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, provincial ministers, vice chancellors of different public and private sector, all concerned secretaries and other offers were present in the meeting.