KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed health department to operationalise closed Children Hospital North Karachi within 15 days and he was ready to pay its liabilities and running.

“People of North Karachi cannot be denied services of their health facility for issues between private partner and government, therefore hospital must be started immediately for larger interest of area.”

Presiding over a 37th meeting of PPP Policy Board which was attended by Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister LG Nasir Shah, Advisor law Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant to CM Syed Qasim Naveed, MPA Ghualm Qadir Chandio, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Chairman P&D Hassan Naqvi, VC NED University, SMBR Baqaullah Unar, Aif Brohi and Secretary LG Najam Shah, CM said that he was ready to release funds immediately but hospital must be m

ade functional within next 15 days.  “It must be one of best hospitals in city,” he said categorically.

He directed health department to ensure audit of hospital right from its start in 2016. Policy board approved the proposal.

Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho told that Health Department had executed a management contract with Poverty Eradication Initiative (PEI) in September 2016 for a period of 10 years. But, private partner closed hospital in December 2021 and PEI filed a suit before Sindh High Court on September 22, 2020. Since, hospital was non-functional.

Sohail Rajput told that he had held a meeting on issues of hospital in which Rs 616 million liabilities were worked out. He said that Rs 425 million were required to operationalize hospital.

PPP policy board was told that in order to meet water requirements, government has decided to install two Seawater Desalination plants, each one of 5 MGD, one at Ibrahim Hyderi and other at Native Jetty or somewhere near Kemari.

Nasir Shah said that his department has hired a consultant to feasibility study and transaction advisory service. He said that desalination technology has been selected for plant.

Meeting was told that each plant may cost over Rs 1 billion. CM directed Nasir Shah to visit Keamari area and select site for plant and also visit KANUPP plant and report.

CM directed local government and Investment departments to launch pre-qualifications documents for 5 MGD Desalination Project under PPP Mode.