Balochistan Point Voice of Nation
QUETTA: Department of Health, Government of Balochistan and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) marked the Handover Ceremony of the Project ‘Strengthening of health services at tertiary hospitals of Quetta’ for improvement and strengthening the health services at public hospitals of Quetta. About 200,000 patients including Pakistani citizens and Afghan refugees will benefit from the upgraded health facilities.
The Representative of the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Pakistan, Indirika Ratwatte handed over the project worth 35,371,394 PKR to the Health Department of Balochistan. The project is a provision of medical and IT equipment and renovation of sanitary facilities. Medical equipment were provided to Bolan Medical Complex and Sandeman hospital, while Fatima Jinah General and Chest Hospital & Provincial AIDS Control Program received IT equipment.
Mr. Asmatullah Kakar, Secretary Health, the Chief Guest said that the through the better health machinery and IT equipment provided by the project, mortality and morbidity rates would be reduced. In a year, it is projected, 72,000 mothers and 81,600 new born babies would benefit from health services upgraded from this program. About 1,200 cardiology patients, around 144,000 trauma patients, 59, 760 children will benefit in BMC, 36,000 will benefit from trollies and wheel chairs. The beneficiaries would increase on yearly basis as the services being provided will remain sustainable for about 5 years.”
Mr Kakar said that the IT equipment would benefit the whole provincial population and refugees from efficient working of targeted institutions. Furthermore, Health Secretary appreciated the three day learning session conducted by UNHCR with the concerned medical staff, students, nurses and paramedical staff trained them to use the equipment and to enhance their capacities to provide improved and quality health care services.
Indirika Ratwatte expressed that the UNHCR appreciates the generosity of Government and people of Pakistan for hosting millions of refugees for nearly four decades and UNHCR understands the challenges of host countries. He thanks the people of Denmark and Japan for their generosity who donated for this program. Pakistani institutes provide the services to Afghan refugees like the host community.
“The project is an initiative of Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) program of UNHCR and it is an effort to help the health department to strengthen the quality of the services and to enable the host community as well as refugees to have access to affordable and quality services.” Indirika Ratwatte added.
UNHCR Deputy Representative Mr. Iain Stuart Hall, The Head of UNHCR Sub-office Quetta Mr. Marin Din Kajdomcaj, Commissioner Afghan Refugees Brig. (R) Masud Ahmed, Afghan Council General Mr. Wajeedullah Momand and other important officials were also present in the ceremony.
Staff Reporter
Published in The Balochistan Point on August 7, 2017
