Framework agreement: 25 clinics for women and children to be built

The health centre to provide pre-and post-natal care in rural areas.

ISLAMABAD:

The Bavarian Honorary Consulate of Pakistan, the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) and the Lions Club Germany have signed a framework agreement to build 25 clinics for women and children in Pakistan over the next five years.

The Patty's Child Clinics project will expand the existing medical infrastructure of the rural health centre so that free hygienic pre-and postnatal care could be offered even in remotest areas, according to a press release received here on Saturday from the Pakistani embassy in Berlin.

The trio has been engaged for several years in reconstruction in Pakistan, which suffered a devastating flood catastrophe four years ago. Patricia Poetis, wife of the honorary consul and founding member of the "Pakistan needs us now" fund raising campaign, said, "We want the clinics to be fitted with modern equipment in order to provide comprehensive prenatal diagnoses and post-natal care, because the first year of an infant's life is critical.

The first of Patty's Child Clinics, located in Chillianwala, Mandi Bahuddin district, is already in the planning stage.

CBM Director Dr Rainer Brockhaus said that they looked forward to the cooperation with pleasure. "We thank the Lions Clubs and the Honorary Consulate for their support. Together we make things happen and serve many Pakistanis who need help," he said.

The Patty's Child Clinics project is the brainchild of Poetis to establish a permanent charitable facility in Pakistan to provide targeted help at the local level.

She was deeply involved in the "Pakistan needs us now" fundraising drive started by the Consulate and the Lions Clubs to provided help to flood victims.

The drive raised over €150,000, which, among other things, went to rebuild schools in Charsadda and Faisalabad.

The Christian Blind Mission is one of Germany's oldest and largest organisations dedicated to providing assistance in under-developed countries. It has helped the handicapped in such countries for over 100 years.

The goal of the CBM is to better the lives of the handicapped, to help prevent disabilities and to break down social barriers. The CBM currently supports 714 projects in 73 countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2014.