27 October 2004	Wednesday	12 Ramazan 1425

LAHORE, Oct 26: The City District Government School Health Service Pilot Project has proved to be a 'miserable failure' on account of lack of interest on the part of the health officials.

The pilot project had been launched in Nishtar Town with a target of medical examination of 66,000 school children at least once a year and referring serious cases to the Children's Hospital where three rooms had been reserved for their treatment by four doctors.

A report submitted at a meeting presided over by district Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood to review the project's success revealed that only around 25,000 children had been examined during the past one year. Nearly 468 children belonging to poor families were referred to the hospital for treatment.

The district Nazim expressed displeasure over the performance of the CDG health officials and directed them to arrange the medical examination of the remaining children besides providing them necessary literature in respect of healthcare. The participants of the meeting also decided to ensure provision of clean drinking water and clean toilets in the schools.

The meeting was attended by District Coordination Officer Khalid Sultan, executive district officer (health), district officer (education) and the Children's Hospital medical superintendent