KARACHI, Sep 15 (APP): World Health Organization (WHO) to provide assistance to Sindh government for setting up 50 ‘Well Woman Clinics’ at Basic Health Units (BHUs) level to ensure a friendly environment and better services to women.
The agreement was reached in a meeting on Friday between Sindh Caretaker Health Minister Dr. Saad Khalid Niaz and WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr. Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala here at Sindh Institute of Advanced Endoscopy and Gastroenterology, Civil Hospital Karachi, said a statement issued here.
Both sides discussed WHO’s support for polio eradication and the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and agreed to work jointly to provide support to District Health Officers to spread mass awareness on immunization and expand public access to 12 antigens.
WHO will also assist the provincial government for incorporating the facilities for mental illnesses, family planning counseling and products; counseling, awareness and kits for personal hygiene; screening for communicable diseases including HIV, hepatitis, TB and monitoring of non-communicable diseases such as blood pressure, diabetes; check up of breast cancer and cervical and smear with secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.
Dr. Palitha Mahipala briefed Dr. Saad Khalid about WHO’s commitment and support for health and well-being in Pakistan and agreed that WHO will support phased renovation of BHUs in dilapidated conditions and the strengthening of lab services.
During the meeting, the strengthening, provision and successful response of emergency services 1122 across Sindh also came under discussion and Dr Mahipala informed that WHO had donated 15 ambulances and 5 mobile medical/labour units to Sindh which were handed over to Rescue 1122 while 30 modern motorbike ambulances will also be provided to further improve the emergency response of SIEHS.
WHO, after the catastrophic floods 0f 2022, has improved 150 health facilities, 53 labour rooms and five NICUs while support was being provided to 47 nutrition stabilization centres across Sindh, he informed.
The caretaker minister mentioned the Her Wash program under Water Aid for the hygiene of girls aged 13 to 21 years and sought WHO’s assistance to further expand the program. He while discussing Sindh Health Ministry’s initiative on mental health policy called for WHO’s assistance in establishing and strengthening rehabilitation service centers for drug addicts.
