CM Orders Upgradation of Taluka Hospitals To DHQ

KARACHI, SINDH- Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, directed the Health Department to complete the upgradation of 13 Taluka hospitals to District Headquarter hospitals (DHQs) by December 2018, and created a separate allowance for doctors serving in remote areas.

He also discussed regarding the outcome of his previous health department related decisions. He stressed upon putting  more efforts to enhance the quality of our healthcare system and improving the medical education system.

The meeting was attended by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho, Chief Secretary Major (Retd.) Azam Suleman, P&D Chairman Mr. Mohammad Waseem, Principal Secretary to the CM Mr. Sohail Rajput, Health Secretary Dr. Usman Chachar, Secretary Finance Mr. Noor Alam and other officers.

Secretary Health Dr Usman Chachar, briefed the Chief Minister about the sanctioned strength of 67,876 doctors and paramedics in health department, against which 62,569 were working.

The vacant positions included 2,929 doctors of general cadres, 492 doctors of specialist cadre, 129 dentists, 10 pharmacists, 9 drug administration staff, 210 nurses, 1214 paramedics and 1295 LHWs.

The Chief Minister immediately directed the Health Department to fill the vacant positions to make all the health facilities functional.

Under Chief Minister’s initiative, a total number of 17 Taluka Headquarter hospitals were being upgraded to District Headquarter hospital levels, present across Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Jamshoro, Khairpur, Badin, Shikarpur, Mithi, Thatta, Dadu, Naushehro Feroze, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Mirpur Mathelo, Matiari, Kamber-Shahdadkot, Umerkot and Kashmore.

The CM directed the Secretary Health to complete the construction work of Taluka hospitals and get their SNEs approved by December 2018.

It was also pointed out that, there were 206 primary health facilities in Sindh which includes 138 RHC, 810 BHUs, 883 dispensaries, 89 MCHC, 02 homeopathic dispensaries, 08 urban health centers, 44 unani shifa khanas and 42 maternity homes. Out of a total number of 2016 health facilities, 1,032 were being run by PPHI, 821 by Health Department and 163 by PPP mode.

Out of 109 secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities, 95 are being run by Health Department and 14 by PPP mode.

In medical education, the Sindh government has 75 universities, colleges, institutes and schools. They include 05 universities, 08 colleges, 04 dental colleges, 21 nursing schools, 05 public health schools, 16 community midwifery schools, 02 nursing colleges, 04 paramedical institutes, 01 physiotherapy school, 02 health technician schools and 07 institutes like NICVD.

Health Secretary Dr. Usman stated that, 12 programs were in progress in the health sector. They are EPI, LHWs, Maternal and Child Neonatal Child Health, TB Control, Prevention and Control of Hepatitis, Prevention and Control of Blindness, Malaria Control, Nutrition Support, Enhanced HIV/AIDS Control, Dengue Control and Prevention, and Accelerated Action and Diabetic Control Programs.

The Health Minister assured that she would be monitoring the progress of these programs.