Medical camps at child protection centres ordered

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has directed deputy commissioners across the province to conduct monthly inspections of child protection centres and organise at least one medical camp every month for children residing at the facilities. The directives were issued by the Punjab Home Department following concerns over security arrangements, problems and gaps in healthcare at facilities run by the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB).

The DCs have been instructed through a letter to visit the child protection units in their districts every month. They will assess security, operational status, condition of buildings and other deficiencies and bring the issues to the attention of relevant authorities for remedial action.

The DCs have been directed to coordinate with the district headquarters hospitals and paediatricians to arrange at least one medical camp every month at each facility to provide regular health screening, preventive care and treatment to resident children.

Officials had said that Rs153 million had been released for the centres' maintenance and repair work during the current financial year.