‘After security, improving public health sector top priority’

Karachi  

Following extensive efforts towards restoration of law and order in Karachi, the top priority for city authorities now is improving public health facilities, asserted Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad on Sunday as he undertook a visit to the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases (KIHD) and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH).

The governor said that special emphasis was being laid on ensuring minimum wastage and optimum utilisation of resources in the public health sector so that the aim of providing quality health care to all citizens could finally be achieved.

“The main problems here have been negligence and non-provision of funds. These issues have made it impossible for Karachi’s public health institutes to function to their true potential,” said Ebad, adding that efforts would now be made to ensure that all required resources and equipment were provided without delays or discrimination.

Delving into specifics, the governor said directives had been issued for urgent efforts for the provision of a gas plant for KIHD through coordination with the Sui Southern Gas Company. 

As for the ASH, Ebad mentioned that there had been some progress on the uplift directives he had issued during his last visit, and said he was hopeful that a much improved situation would be visible within three months.

“At any health institution, patient welfare must always be accorded top priority when dealing with matters of policy and strategy implementation, which is direly needed here too.” 

The governor also announced that he had nominated a focal person to visit both health facilities on a daily basis to prepare recommendations for short and long term improvements. 

 

NAP success

Replying to a question pertaining to the National Action Plan (NAP) and the Karachi security operation, the governor maintained that the dedicated efforts put in by security forces over the past few years had brought about tangible positive changes.

Stressing that the security operation would continue according to the NAP parameters, Ebad stated that it was due to these efforts that Karachiites were enjoying economic, social, cultural
and recreational activities without any fear or trepidation, and the city was on
its way to achieving its lost glory.

The governor was accompanied by Commissioner Syed Asif Hyder Shah, KMC Municipal Commissioner Samiuddin Siddiqui and KMC Senior Director Medical Services Dr Salma Kausar during his visits.