AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Karachi, September 28, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has laid down foundation stone for construction of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Unit in National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) Karachi at a ceremony held in a local hotel here on Saturday evening. 200-bed Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Unit will be constructed with the estimated cost of Rs1800 million with the full financial assistance of government of Sindh and the project will be completed within two years.
Addressing the ceremony and annual symposium as chief guest, CM Sindh lauded the services of NICVD for catering the increasing demand of diagnosis, management and prevention of cardiovascular diseases not only province of Sindh but of entire Pakistan. He said that if this institute comes under complete administrative control of Sindh government then we will take extraordinary measures for equipping this institute with modern facilities beyond the expectations of people and medical fraternity.
Sindh Chief Minister further said that education and health sectors were among the top most priority of provincial government. “In spite of financial constraints and limited resources Sindh government has increased the budgetary allocation three fold for health sector” he added.
He said that more than Rs14 billion has been earmarked for health sector in present financial year 2014-15. He said that Sindh government was establishing new hospitals at district and taluka level while Rural Health Centers (RHCs), Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Dispensers were being equipped with required modern facilities so that people could be provided best possible medical services at their door steps. He said though Sindh government has taken various steps to improve the health sector but there is always room for improvement which was being focused by provincial government.
Sindh Chief Minister further said that there was alarming drought condition in Tharpakar area and doctors were unwilling to perform their duties there but Sindh government tired to attract them by enhancing salary packages and providing other incentives.
Resultantly “along with male doctors more than 17 female doctors are providing their services to the downtrodden people of Tharparkar and adjacent areas” he said. Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that the addition of a separate Pediatric Cardiac Surgery unit in NICVD will be milestone for treatment of heart related diseases among children and people of entire country will get benefited. Executive Director and Chairman Academic Faculty National Institute of Cardiovascular
Diseases Professor Khan Shah Zaman in his welcome address thanked the Chief Minister Sindh for his keen interest in establishment of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery unit in NICVD. Addressing the participants of two day Annual Symposium Mr. Zaman said that this scientific programme focuses not only to the need of Cardiologists/Cardiac Surgeons, but it has lot to offer the Pediatricians, General Physicians and Family Physicians, and that will Surely help them to improve clinical practice and will translate in better patient care.
Provincial Secretary Health Iqbal Husain Durain, Dr. Zafarullah of College of Physician and Surgeons of Pakistan and Executive Administrative officer (NICVD) Dr. Hameedullah Malik also spoke on occasion. Special Assistant to CM Sindh Waqar Mehdi and Siddiqui Abu Bhai accompanied the Chief Minister Sindh.
For more information, contact:
Mr. Allah Bachayo Memon
Press Secretary
Chief Minister House
Tel: +9221 99202019
Cell: +92300-3524057 (Ext: 336)