In collaboration with the Poverty Eradication Initiative (PEI), a social welfare organization, the Sindh government will soon be initiating the “Sindh Medical Support Program”. The flagship health program is being sponsored by Pakistanis living in USA and Canada.
In a meeting chaired by the chief minister of Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, between government officials and PEI under the public-private partnership, it was jointly decided to invest Rs5 billion for the health program. PEI would fund up to Rs3.5 billion for medical equipment while the Sindh government would bear the cost of operations, Rs1.5 billion. These costs would include administrative, logistics and port clearance for equipment imported.
The chief minister, while presiding the meeting, voted for Mr Taj Haider – lawmaker in the upper house – for the focal position in the project to form and bring a five-member committee into action. Two specialists from the Department of Health, Sindh, and two from PEI will be selected, while the health secretary will head the committee. They will assess the project, and prepare and implement the plan in the next few days. He has further directed the provincial authorities to get the project approved from the PPP policy board, so the work could be started.
The CM has made it clear that the Department of Health is solely providing medical care to the province by its own resources. He added that any offer of assistance from any local or foreign NGO is just a supplement to the department and are greatly welcomed. He said the current proposed project looks smart and innovative, and is expected to help the department to a large extent – although a final evaluation of the project is needed.
Sindh health department in desperate need of help of NGOs.