Sindh health minister pledges to increase NICH budget

Minister says the Sindh government was providing a larger budget to the NICH and other health facilities

KARACHI: Sindh health minister Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar paid a visit to the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) on Thursday morning, pledging his department’s support to the province’s largest health facility for infants.

He visited different wards, including the emergency room run by NGO Childlife Foundation and asked the attendants, staff and office bearers of the organisation about their problems. The minister said that the Sindh government was providing a larger budget to the NICH and other health facilities.

During his visit to the sixth floor which is under construction, Dahar said, “[This ward] will facilitate 2,000 children after its completion.”

Dahar also held a meeting with the board members of the NICH. “The provincial government can resolve issues of the NICH within 15 days, once the court announces a verdict on the issue,” he assured the officials. He asked them to give proposal on solving the problems of the institute's employees.

The minister appreciated the contribution of the ChildLife Foundation. “The influx of patients is a serious concern and we need more public-private partnerships to enhance facilities at public hospitals,” he said.

Speaking to the media, the minister said there were multiple causes of death in Tharparkar district, adding that the government will implement the Early Marriage Act in its letter and spirit to cope with the problems. He said that existing social customs are also a big hindrance in arid areas and the media should cooperate with the government to create awareness among the people.

He said that health department had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Health And Nutrition Development Society, a non-government organisation, to make defunct dispensaries in Tharparkar district provide better health services to far flung areas in the desert.