Projects in the pipeline: Improving healthcare seems to be govt’s focus in Hyderabad

A sum of Rs614 million earmarked for health projects in Sindh's second largest urban centre

HYDERABAD:

Improving the provision of healthcare seems to be the focus of the Sindh government in Hyderabad. According to the budget announced on Saturday, a total of Rs614 million have been allocated for health projects in the city.

Based on the budget, Sindh's second-largest urban centre will see funds being spent on infrastructure development works at medical facilities, procurement of medical equipment and establishment of the first government medical college.

Six of the 11 projects, totalling Rs180 million, have been given to Liaquat University hospital, also known as Civil hospital, the biggest medical facility in Hyderabad. It receives patients from all parts of Sindh yet continues to remain marred by a lack of facilities.

A sum of Rs33.18 million has been earmarked for the establishment of a 50-bed medical and surgical ICU and the expansion of the casualty and out-patients department. However, the scheme with a total outlay of Rs283.53 million, approved in February 2012, will be completed by June 2018, according to the budget document.

"The casualty ward is in a run-down state," said a senior doctor at the hospital who wished to remain anonymous. "The entire range of equipment and furniture needs to be replaced." He also complained that the only trauma centre in the district, which was inaugurated six years ago, remains defunct.

Another Rs40 million and Rs55 million have been earmarked for the Rs127.8 million upgrade of Neonatal and Paediatric Services and the Rs366.05 million project for the establishment of a cardiothoracic surgery department. Despite their importance, both the projects will be completed by 2017 and 2018, respectively, even though they were approved in 2014 and 2013.

The hospital will also get Rs25 million for renovation and drainage works besides Rs10 million for the improvement of the physiotherapy department for the teaching hospital. It is also among the five hospitals in Sindh that will be provided microscopic endoscopy system at a total cost of Rs75 million.

The Sindh government wants to allocate Rs225 million for the Rs1.3 billion project to build the first government medical college in Hyderabad. Approved in March 2012, construction work of the college will be completed by 2018. Around Rs455 million have already been spent so far.

Local government and works

The Sindh local government department will also spend Rs620 million, subject to the budget's approval, on over 16 schemes in Hyderabad. However, half of this amount will be consumed by the road construction and repair works even though the water filtration and supply and the drainage problems are continuously increasing the miseries of the citizens.

As much as Rs306 million has been earmarked for seven road projects, which will also get another Rs231 million expenditure through 18 schemes from the Sindh Works and Services Department. Meanwhile, a huge sum of Rs150 million has been earmarked for the sewerage schemes in Qasimabad taluka.

Only a fraction of the budget, Rs129 million, has been set aside for the five water and drainage schemes, including Rs100 million for construction of a filtration plant in Hyderabad Rural taluka's Tando Jam town. The district already has five filtration plants with only two in operational condition. But even they suffer from lack of rehabilitation works as the biggest plant continues to supply un-chlorinated water because of its dysfunctional system.

From the remaining Rs29 million, Rs13.75 million have been allocated for drainage works in the rural areas while Rs12.5 million have been given to Latifabad taluka and Rs3 million to City taluka.

An official of Water and Sanitation Agency told The Express Tribune though the rehab projects for water filtration plants, supply and sewerage worth roughly Rs350 million have been approved. But the sum is being provided from the arrears of WASA over various departments of the Sindh government.

“Ssuccessive provincial budgets have ignored the water filtration and supply woes in Hyderabad as there hardly been any allocation.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2015.