KARACHI, Dec 22: A large number of people participated in a walk organized here on Sunday to highlight the miseries of the poor and sick children.
The walk, organized by Sada Welfare Foundation, was led by the noted artist and social worker Jimmy Engineer. It began from the Boating Basin and culminated at Clifton.
The foundation provides assistance to the children suffering from tuberculosis, renal disorders, diabetes, and other such disease. It also arranges free blood to the needy child patients admitted to the National Institute of Child Healthcare (NICH).
NEW WARD: The NICH has developed a neo-natal unit — largest of its kind in the country — comprising 70 beds with the active and generous help and financial assistance by the Edhi Foundation, Rotary Club and Sada Welfare Association, according to PPI.
Pakistan is listed among the 14 South Asian countries where infant mortality rate is the highest. Facilities to treat infants and new-born were not available even in Karachi where only 250 beds are available for neo-natal care.
The new ward is expected to become operational by the first week of next month. To run and maintain this ward, an amount of Rs10 million per year is required. The expenditures included salaries, medicines and maintenance of ventilators. Sada Welfare Foundation has come forward to make all out efforts to generate the required funds.
Sunday’s walk was part of its efforts also aimed at creating awareness among masses.
Children from different schools of the city, scouts and staff of the NICH were among the participants of the walk. Prominent among them were Jimmy Engineer, Director of NICH, Dr Zeenat Issani, Deputy Director, Dr Afaq, and the Chairperson of the SWF Fauzia Siddiqui.