19 May 2004	Wednesday	28 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

PESHAWAR, May 18: Bob J. Mckerrow, head of the regional delegation of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for South Asia, called on NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah here on Tuesday and discussed with him matters pertaining to the expansion of the organization's scope of work.

He was accompanied by Ijra Sandberg, head of the Pakistan-based office of the federation, and Brig (retd) Mohammad Ilyas Khan, director of special projects of the organization.

Dr Tariq Nishtar, chairman of NWFP branch of Pakistan Red Crescent Society, was also present on the occasion. The governor told the delegation that help from the federation to upgrade the primary level healthcare facilities both in the province and in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) would improve the healthcare system.

In this connection, he said, any concrete initiatives to establish crisis centres in the far-flung hilly areas to help the people in emergencies, especially during natural calamities, would be appreciated.

He also mentioned the difficulties being faced in running the Paraplegic Centre at Hayatabad and hoped that assistance for this institution would be restored.