17 February 2004	Tuesday	25 Zilhaj 1424

PESHAWAR, Feb 16: NWFP Governor Iftikhar Hussain Shah has hinted at purchasing another mobile hospital to ensure availability of modern healthcare services to the people living in remote pockets of Fata, said an official handout issued here on Monday.

Speaking during a presentation about the capacity and scope of the proposed mobile hospital, the governor, however, desired that each and every unit must not only be of the best quality to meet the long-term needs but also be purpose-oriented.

"We already had one such mobile hospital functioning for the last one year. Therefore, necessary additions and alterations must also be made, keeping in view the past experience," he said.

The governor was informed that the proposed mobile hospital would comprise five vehicles - each separately equipped with operation theatre; diagnostic unit - comprising laboratory, X-ray and other accessories; dental unit; supporting unit as well as a vehicle to be used for pick and drop service.

The entire new mobile hospital would cost Rs38 million and be made available to the department concerned by the end of June this year. The new mobile hospital, the governor said, should be designed with special focus on ensuring availability of maximum facilities within the unit so that the purpose of providing primary and secondary level healthcare facilities to the people at their doorstep is fulfilled.