KARACHI, July 17: The DCO of Karachi, Shafiqur Rehman Paracha, has told the officials concerned to expedite the completion of the under-construction Child-Mother Hospital in New Karachi so that the need for a major children hospital in the city could be fulfilled.

The DCO said the process of appointment of staff for the hospital and funds for recurring expenditure should also be expeditiously carried out so that the hospital could start functioning with the government permission.

He said he was satisfied that the process had begun for the purchase of equipment and furniture for the hospital.

Mr Paracha on Wednesday inspected the hospital and directed the town infrastructure officer of North Nazimabad Town to start the plantation in the compound of the hospital and beautification of its surroundings so as to ensure their completion till the finalization of the hospital building.

On the occasion, EDO for Health Dr Nawaz Shaikh said the hospital was being constructed under the Annual Development Programme at a cost of Rs70.08 million. He said Rs56 million was being spent on the construction of the building and Rs17.80 million on the purchase of equipment. He said the building was in the final stage of completion.

He said 40 doctors would be required to run the hospital besides the paramedics.—APP