CM upset at ‘no response’ from federal govt over census complaints

Murad Ali Shah says complaints may affect credibility of census

KARACHI: Talking about the letter he has written to the federal government, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah lamented that no response was received.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that the ongoing census exercise is transparent, efficient and fool-proof, otherwise it would be difficult to make it credible. He was talking to media after unveiling the plaque of positron emission tomography (PET) - computed tomography (CT) Scanner Service at Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation Mehrunissa Medical Complex in Korangi on Wednesday. He was accompanied by Health Minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro, Education Minister Jam Khan Shoro and Health Secretary Fazlullah Pechuho among others.

The chief minister said the population census was an important task. "I want them (census authorities) to count each and every individual otherwise, after four months, people will be making complaints of not being counted," he said. “These complaints may affect the credibility of the census."



Earlier addressing the unveiling ceremony of PET-CT Scanner, Murad said that Dr Adibul Hasan Rizvi was doing a wonderful job. "I am ready to give you a cheque right now if you tell me how much funds you need to complete this project," he said.

Murad said the government has already declared a health emergency in the province. "When people like legendary Prof Adib Rizvi are with me, I am sure I would be able to succeed in my mission," he said.

The chief minister said the PET-CT Scanner project was being established against a cost of Rs80 million and, on the recommendation of Prof Dr Adib Rizvi, he was going to establish another 10 projects all over Sindh.



Briefing the chief minister, Prof Dr Adib Rizvi said that during 2016, SIUT has provided medical treatment to more than three million patients, of which 46% belonged to Sindh. The SIUT also performed 5,000 operations of transplantation. "Our OPD service runs round the clock," he said.

Nutrition issues

Murad said that he has established an organisation to address the issue of nutrition, which causes stunting and other problems in children. "All the donor agencies are on board and, with their support, the Sindh government is going to launch a comprehensive nutrition programme for mothers and children," he said.

Replying to another question, he said the services in government hospitals have been improved through encouragement and monitoring. "We have provided medicines in our hospitals and have made other facilities like X-ray, lab tests et cetera functional," he said, adding that the experience of Public-Private Partnership in running health facilities has made a visible difference.