K-P health dept proposes centres for special children

PESHAWAR: The K-P health department has sent a project concept (PC-I) of rehabilitation centres for special children at the district level in the seven divisions of the province.

Each centre would cost around Rs150 million, said health department sources. The rehabilitation centres for mentally and physically challenged children will be set up in seven divisions of the province including Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Hazara, Bannu, DI Khan, and Malakand, which will be affiliated with Paraplegic Centre in Hayatabad.

A network of organisations working in regard to it and workshops of various prosthetic organs in the province so that special treatment and other facilities could be offered to physically challenge children in every district. Sources said expenditure of Rs150 million has been estimated for the procurement of equipment, furniture, and fixture. They said that work will start after approval of PC-I from the cabinet.

Incentives for doctors K-P government has come up with a plan to offer incentives to doctors for working in under developed areas of the province. Sources said that out of 626 approved vacancies for medical officers and women medical officers in the tribal districts, 575 are for male medical officers and 51 are for female medical officers.

However, only 315 doctors have agreed to work in the tribal districts and 260 posts were lying vacant. Similarly, out of the 51 total women medical officers' seats, the women's medical officers are working only 24 seats and 27 remain vacant till now, sources said.

Sources said the three-year incentive package for doctors will cost provincial government Rs1.14 billion, while Rs330 million have been earmarked this year.

Population welfare The K-P government has decided to merge the Population Welfare Department into the provincial health department on an experimental basis in three districts of the province, sources said.

A US-based organisation, John Snow Inc (JSI) will provide financial help. Earlier, JSI has introduced the project in Sindh, and after positive results, a decision to introduce it in K-P has been made. JIS carries out research and training in population control.

According to sources, the Population Welfare Department in Swat, Lakki Marwat and Mohmand will be merged into the health department for improving reproductive health.