Public health: ‘Unsafe water causing diseases, deaths’

Governor urges private sector to play a greater role in welfare projects.

FAISALABAD: “Over 100,000 diarrhoea-related deaths have been reported at various children’s hospitals on account of consumption of unsafe drinking water,” said Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar on Friday.

He was speaking after inaugurating a water filtration plant at the University of Faisalabad. Sarwar said philanthropists had donated 150 filtration plants.

He said efforts were being made to secure more donations so that water filtration plants could be installed in all schools and colleges of the province.

Sarwar said lack of access to safe drinking water was causing diarrhoea and other abdominal diseases in the province.

He said due to shortage of funds, the government had been unable to purchase and install filtration plants in many parts of the province.

“It is important that the private sector play a greater role in this regard,” he said.

The governor praised Madina Foundation Chairman Muhammad Hanif for playing an active role in welfare projects.

“More businessmen should follow his example and take up public welfare projects,” he said.

Later, the governor also took a round of Madina Teaching Hospital and the Hilal-i-Ahmar Hospital.

DCO Noorul Amin Mangal informed the governor that the local philanthropists had donated eight ventilators, three incubators and three warming machines for this hospital.

The DCO also briefed the governor about development work at Iqbal Stadium.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29^th, 2014.