26 December 2004	Sunday	13 Ziqa'ad 1425

HYDERABAD, Dec 25: Sindh Planning and Development Minister Syed Shoaib Bukhari has said that the government is making all out efforts to provide health cover to poor people.

He said this during his visit to a dialysis centre being constructed at the Bhitai Hospital, Latifabad, on Friday.

Briefing the minister about the Rs23.83 million project, the DO, buildings, said Rs15 million had been released for the centre and the remaining amount was in the pipeline.

The minister expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of work and directed that the project be completed as soon as possible.

Responding to complaints of the hospital management about shortage of water, he gave an assurance that two water tanks would be constructed at the hospital soon.

He also said funds would be earmarked in the next budget for installation of a lift in the hospital.

He reprimanded the DO, buildings, for delay in release of funds for development projects of the hospital.

DCO Mohammad Hussain Syed, health EDO Nazar Mohammad Junejo and other health department officials were also present.

HCCI: The Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry's executive committee at its meeting held here the other day expressed concern over the collapse of infrastructure of the city.

It appealed to Sindh and federal governments to release the Hyderabad Development Package of Rs10 billion to rehabilitate the water supply system, sewerage and other infrastructure of the city.

It demanded that work on the Bakra Mandi girls' college should be started without delay and MRI and scanning machines be provided to the Liaquat University Hospital. It said the ICU and the coronary ward should be completed and new dialysis machines be installed at the hospital.

The HCCI complained that people of Hyderabad were paying huge taxes to federal and Sindh governments as well as the city government but they were getting no facilities in return.

The meeting expressed concern that garbage of the city was being burnt which was increasing pollution in the city and as a result, people were suffering from respiratory diseases.

It observed that the traffic system in the city had collapsed and illegal parking and encroachments on main roads had become common.

Mehmood Ahmad presided over the meeting.

NOTICES: The Water and Sanitation Agency, HDA, has issued final notices to government departments to clear their dues by Dec 31 otherwise their water connections will be cut.