09 February 2005	Wednesday	29 Zilhaj 1425

BADIN, Feb 8: The district president of the People's Party Parliamentarians, Dr Sikandar Ali Mandhro, MPA, has said that the nation is experiencing a 'crippled democracy' and added that democratic institutions have been tailored and are being run in an undemocratic manner.

Speaking at the meet the press programme of the press club here on Sunday, he said that the military government wanted to bypass the Constitution to perpetuate its rule.

The MPA said that the PPP was decentralizing its organization to ensure collective leadership and prevent any individual from monopolizing the conduct of affairs.

A district board of the party, consisting of 17 members, including a Senator from the area and headed by the district president, had been constituted in Badin and similar boards had been formed at the taluka-level, he said.

He said that the taluka boards would recommend names of candidates for the posts of nazims and councillors of union councils to the district board which would recommend three candidates for district and taluka nazims each to the party leadership.

He said that PPP leader Benazir Bhutto had called for award of party posts to those party workers who had struggled for restoration of democracy and remained faithful with the party.

Dr Mandhro said that there were no differences among party workers but added that if there were some misunderstanding, they could be removed.

THALASSAEMIA: Speakers at a seminar have called for strengthening healthcare system at the district level and creating awareness about diseases specially thalassaemia.

The one-day seminar on 'Thalassaemia: prevention and safe blood' was organised at the Memon Community hall here on Monday by the Hussaini Blood Bank with the collaboration of the Thalassaemia Core Citizens' Community Board.

Speaking on the occasion, District Nazim Kamal Khan Chang said that the thalassaemia centre established in Badin was one of the unique projects of the district government.

He said that the centre had been constructed at a cost of Rs4.8 million on self-help basis and lauded technical collaboration extended by the Hussaini Blood Bank in this regard.

DCO Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah said that the project would serve people of Badin, Thatta and Tharparkar.

Dr Hussain Hadi, the in-charge of the Hussain Hadi Thalassaemia Centre, emphasized the need for awareness about the blood disorder and prevention measures.