KARACHI, Oct 15: Dr Aijaz Rahim, Federal Secretary for Health, has said that the process is ongoing to revolutionise the existing health system in the country to ensure the provision of basic health facilities at the grass root level.

He was addressing the lamp lighting ceremony and induction of the first batch of nurses at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) here on Tuesday.

The health secretary said that according to the formulated policy, extensive training programmes have also been initiated for health care providers at all levels in different specialities and sub-specialities.

“It is in pursuance of the very policy that (the) nursing school at NICH is offering courses and specialized training programmes in paediatric nursing,” he said, mentioning that admissions to the school were made on the basis of merit.

He also referred to the measures adopted, with major emphasis on prevention, adding that training programmes for paramedics and lady health workers had also been expedited.

The health secretary particularly referred to the immunization campaigns launched across the country against a wide range of preventable diseases and the involvement of lady health workers in the same.

According to him, a system is being evolved under which people of remote areas would be provided necessary medical assistance at proximate distance, with the provision of well equipped medical care outlets. Only complicated cases would be brought to tertiary care hospitals, he said.

Addressing the graduates, Dr Aijaz Rahim acknowledged that apart from the technical skills imparted upon the students, he could also witness a great deal of will among them and the teachers to serve the sick and alleviate their suffering.

Asking the teaching faculty to widen the scope of the course to include major challenges facing Pakistan, the federal health secretary reiterated the major health challenges being faced by the country.

On one hand, there is a considerably and persistently high maternal and infant mortality rate, while on the other, there is a surge in the incidence rate of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer along with hepatitis B, C and Aids.

Dr Aijaz also appreciated the efforts made by Prof Zeenat Isani, Director NICH, in establishing the nursing school and her leadership in upgrading the premier children’s hospital in the country.

Prof Zeenat referred to efforts made to turn the NICH into an exemplary institution. She cited the establishment of the School of Nursing (SON) at the NICH as a milestone, mentioning the urgency for nurses trained in paediatrics.

The NICH director appreciated the support of the Pakistan Nursing Council and the Director General Nursing, government of Sindh.

The programme was also addressed by Prof Afroze Ramzan Sherali, coordinator SON, who briefly explained the selection and admission process, based on merit, and included students from all over Pakistan.

Afshan Nazli, Chief Nursing Superintendent of the SON, discussed in detail the course curriculum and pledged that the school would continue to aim at producing the best trained nurses in the country.—APP