KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah approved substantial Rs 520 million fund for establishment of Pediatric Cardiac Unit at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD).

This unit will occupy two floors of new building currently under construction, with CM urging expedited completion of project.  Additionally, Rs 628 million has been allocated for procurement of state-of-the-art MRI machine, further bolstering institute's diagnostic capabilities.

During 82nd Governing Body meeting of NICVD at CM House attended by Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho, Mayor Murtaza Wahab, MPAs Sadiya Javed and Rukhsana Parveen, Executive Director NICVD Dr. Tahir Saghir and other, CM approved an additional Rs 520 million to make both floors functional.

NICVD Executive Director proposed to CM that Grant-in-Aid/budget for year 2024-2025 may be increased. At this, CM directed Dr Azra Pechuho and Secretary of Finance Fayaz Jatoi to assess and evaluate need for NICD and send him their recommendations for his approval.

Board approved appointment of Dr Tahir Saghir as Executive Director of NICVD, Patient treatment tracking system. CM directed NICVD administration to develop patient-wise patient treatment tracking system under which all expenditures including tests, procedures, medicines etc could be tracked or identified.

He said that this system would be easy to audit and prepare NICVD budget scientifically.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister has committed to addressing range of pressing environmental challenges exacerbated by economic growth, urban sprawl and industrialisation.

Presiding over meeting to observe World Environment Day, he said that in connection with World Environment Day celebrated worldwide, we needed to take stock of situation and devise strategies to preserve and improve environment.

Minister Health Dr Azra said that hospital waste was being managed properly but even then more steps were required to protect environment. Minister Local Government Saeed Ghani said that he has directed all local bodies to keep their areas neat and clean and start tree plantation.

Minister of Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro said that untreated industrial water was being released into River Indus and canal against which he has taken strict measures. Minister Environment Dost Rahimoo told CM that he was working to ban manufacturing and sale of plastic bags for which all stakeholders were being taken into confidence.

On other hand, Murad Ali Shah and UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Luay Shabaneh convened to advance Youth Policy Action Plan.

Their discussion covered crucial topics such as setting provincial targets for Contraceptive Prevalence Rate, fertility and population growth. They focused on incorporating Life Skill Based Education into school curriculum.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 06 2024

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