KARACHI, April 20: Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim through a communication despatched to Sindh Health Secretary Prof Naushad Shaikh has formally approved the first full fledged health policy for the province here on Wednesday. The policy formulated by the provincial health department and announced by Health Adviser Faisal Gabol on March 7 particularly focuses on revamping the available health care facilities for the masses, besides preventing both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

The chief minister appreciating his health adviser, provincial health secretary and the policy makers, including Additional Health Secretary Dr Shafqat Abbasi, Dr G.N. Kazi and Dr Jamil Mughal in particular and the entire health department in general, and acknowledged strategies evolved for an efficient district health system.

According to the chief minister, the realistic approach to address the rising incidence of Hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS and malaria in the province

is also appreciable coupled

with the provision for necessary eradication of polio and

other fatal disease threatening kids.

The measures, recommended under the health policy for improving “Mother and Child Health” with major focus on combating maternal and infant mortality/ morbidity, were also appreciated by the chief minister in his communication.

According to him, the due attention towards much needed reforms in the medico-legal system; bringing the public sector medical schools at par with international standards; initiating an efficient service structure for paramedics and doctors; and streamlining the process of appointing doctors along with other medical staff in rural health care facilities were need of hour and had been duly addressed through the health policy announced in March.

Dr Arbab Rahim said that after receiving the draft copy of the policy he went through it very minutely and found it to be a complete and comprehensive document with all potential to provide down trodden masses their due right to quality health. — APP