Korangi to have 24-hour maternity care facilities

Sindh Health Department has decided to make five health centres in Korangi district operational round the clock for maternity facilities.

In this regard, Dr Sadia Jamil, who works on the Primary Healthcare Programme, said that the project will work under the supervision of Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pachuho.

She said that the health minister is trying to make Korangi an ideal district for all other districts in the city.

Dr Sadia further mentioned that at least 10 health centres would be made operational round the clock in this district of a population of 2.5 million.

"There are four towns in Korangi district and in each town we have upgraded one hospital. We have made two health centres functional for 24 hours in Shah Faisal area," Dr Sadia said, adding, "Our aim is to improve maternal and child health and maternity facilities in these five hospitals."

She said, "we should realise the fact that 18 health centres are not enough for a population of 2.5 million."

She said under the project pregnant women registered with the health department will be provided free maternity and child care facilities in Korangi district so that they do not need to go to private hospitals.

Dr Sadia added, "Our aim is to make at least five maternity healthcare clinics of Sindh Health Department functional round the clock. These facilities include 50-bed Sindh Government Hospital in Shah Faisal Town, Basic Health Unit in Naatha Khan Goth, Urban Health Centre in Landhi, 25-bed Sindh Government Hospital in Malir, and 25-bed Sindh Government Hospital in Korangi.

These hospitals were earlier providing health facilities as Basic Health Unit and Urban Health Centre where only OPD services were being provided, while no arrangements were made to handle emergency cases.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2022.