Capital included in WHO’s healthy cities plan
Mayor acknowledges meeting global health standards would be a challenge
PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Residents of the federal capital looking for better health options in the city could get their wish soon after the city was included in a list of 26 cities around the world which will be part of the global health body’s Healthy City programme.
The mayor has welcomed the move but has noted that it is also a huge responsibility.
Islamabad has been included in a list of 26 cities under the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) programme.
Islamabad police hospital likely to get final nod
Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz said that inclusion of the city in the global programme is an honour but at the same time the challenge of upgrading of the health infrastructure and provision of modern health facilities in the city in line with WHO standards were daunting.
Aziz expressed these views while chairing a meeting to review the performance of the Health Services Directorate. The meeting was attended by health services director general, Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) Chief Officer Najaf Iqbal Syed and senior officers of the IMC.
The mayor said that the WHO had expressed satisfaction over health facilities being provided in the capital at the moment and had included the city in its global programme.
He added that after the creation of the metropolitan corporation, provision of health facilities in both the rural and urban areas of the city was the responsibility of the IMC. Hence, to meet the standards and requirements of the WHO, the Health Services Directorate would be upgraded to meet the health needs of the entire city.
To enhance the capacity of the Health Services Directorate, the mayor said that they would be hiring more doctors, paramedical and other allied staff.
Moreover, modern medical equipment would also be provided to the directorate in the ongoing fiscal year.
The mayor said that of the two million people who live in the federal capital, 35 per cent reside in its rural areas while more than 14 per cent live in slums or a cumulative 50 per cent of the city’s population. Hence, he said, the IMC will hope that the fruits of the healthy city programme could reach these areas.
Dilating on the assistance provided by WHO under its programme, he said that it will not only comprise of technical assistance but officers and officials of the health directorate would be sent for training abroad.
Capital Healthcare woes: Most rural health units lack qualified staff
The mayor directed the health services director general to get benefit from the programme.
The health services director general told the mayor that the WHO had enlisted the city in its programme after analysing the planning and effective programme regarding the provision of basic health facilities.
He added that after Islamabad’s induction into the healthy city program, the WHO will not only provide technical assistance but would also review our planning and services regarding the provision of health facilities.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2018.
Residents of the federal capital looking for better health options in the city could get their wish soon after the city was included in a list of 26 cities around the world which will be part of the global health body’s Healthy City programme.
The mayor has welcomed the move but has noted that it is also a huge responsibility.
Islamabad has been included in a list of 26 cities under the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) programme.
Islamabad police hospital likely to get final nod
Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz said that inclusion of the city in the global programme is an honour but at the same time the challenge of upgrading of the health infrastructure and provision of modern health facilities in the city in line with WHO standards were daunting.
Aziz expressed these views while chairing a meeting to review the performance of the Health Services Directorate. The meeting was attended by health services director general, Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) Chief Officer Najaf Iqbal Syed and senior officers of the IMC.
The mayor said that the WHO had expressed satisfaction over health facilities being provided in the capital at the moment and had included the city in its global programme.
He added that after the creation of the metropolitan corporation, provision of health facilities in both the rural and urban areas of the city was the responsibility of the IMC. Hence, to meet the standards and requirements of the WHO, the Health Services Directorate would be upgraded to meet the health needs of the entire city.
To enhance the capacity of the Health Services Directorate, the mayor said that they would be hiring more doctors, paramedical and other allied staff.
Moreover, modern medical equipment would also be provided to the directorate in the ongoing fiscal year.
The mayor said that of the two million people who live in the federal capital, 35 per cent reside in its rural areas while more than 14 per cent live in slums or a cumulative 50 per cent of the city’s population. Hence, he said, the IMC will hope that the fruits of the healthy city programme could reach these areas.
Dilating on the assistance provided by WHO under its programme, he said that it will not only comprise of technical assistance but officers and officials of the health directorate would be sent for training abroad.
Capital Healthcare woes: Most rural health units lack qualified staff
The mayor directed the health services director general to get benefit from the programme.
The health services director general told the mayor that the WHO had enlisted the city in its programme after analysing the planning and effective programme regarding the provision of basic health facilities.
He added that after Islamabad’s induction into the healthy city program, the WHO will not only provide technical assistance but would also review our planning and services regarding the provision of health facilities.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2018.