26 June 2004	Saturday	07 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, June 25: The city nazim, Naimatullah Khan, has urged the Sindh government to lift the ban on fresh recruitment in government institutions, so as to help resolve the issue of unemployment , which was gaining intensity for the last few years, besides meeting the need of local institutions facing acute shortage of staff.

Addressing the inaugural session of midwifery school at North Karachi government hospital on Friday, the city nazim said that there was an acute shortage of staff at both city government hospitals and educational institutions.

Naimat on the occasion also suggested early approval and implementation of Sindh government's "Scheme for New Expenditure", so that development projects already initiated in 18 various districts of the province may not be effected at any stage, owing to non-availability of funds.

He said the city government though experiencing dearth of resources, was keen to ensure quality health status of local mothers and children, adding that in view of its significance, midwifery schools had already been opened in city government hospitals at Manghopir, Soldier Bazaar and North Karachi, while two more would soon be established at Shah Faisal Colony and Gizri hospitals.

He said, while these institutes would on one hand guarantee proper healthcare for mothers, they would on the other, provide local girls with an opportunity for proper training as well as adequate employment.

It was reminded that maternity school at New Karachi government hospital was the third of its kind being inaugurated by the city government.

Further highlighting the significance of these schools, he said that while there happened to be a higher number of female medical students in local medical colleges, however, many were unable to pursue a career in medicine owing to various reasons. This, he said, often left local mothers at the mercy of unqualified birth attendants, thus exposing them to great risks; sometimes even costing them their lives.

The scenario, he said, could be addressed through well-trained midwives, for which more midwifery schools would be established.

According to him, for the very purpose, efforts would also be made to develop close co-ordination among public, private sectors and concerned NGOs. He also acknowledged the support extended by UNICEF for these schools.

Dr Abdul Majid of New Karachi government hospital, on the occasion, mentioned that new gadgets and equipment were being installed at the hospital, that attended on an average to some 1,800 patients daily. He added that by December this year, the hospital would be upgraded to a 200-bed hospital.

Maintaining that more nursing schools were also required to be opened, he said there should be provision for midwifery schools at nursing training centres already functioning at civil hospital Karachi and Lyari general hospital as well.

The ceremony was also attended by EDO-Health Dr Fazal Illahi Memon, Project Director, Midwifery Schools Dr Haroon Imtiaz, Director, Sindh Nursing Services Dr Ilmiya Mughal, Advisor to city nazim on Health Affairs Dr Abdullah Muttaqi, town nazim Shafiqur Rehman Usmani, Dr Ather and many others.-APP