January 7, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 6, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 6: The Pakistan Medical Association Karachi has arranged 30,000 sleeping bags for old people and children in the earthquake affected areas.

The sleeping bags are effective against the rough cold weather.

The first batch of 2,500 bags has been distributed among old people and children living in tent camps in various areas of Muzaffarabad, said a statement issued on Friday.

Wheelchairs and clutches are also available from the PMA Base Camp, KBDO hospital at Shahnawaz Chowk in Mansehra that could be provided to different organisations working in the quake-hit areas for distribution among the needy people.

The PMA is also providing free medical treatment at the KBDO hospital and camp hospital at Matches factory, Shahrah-i-Karakoram and also running mobile clinic in various areas, twice in a week through helicopter service.

The PMA hospitals have been receiving a huge number of children and old-aged people with respiratory tract infections and chronic chest problems.

The statement concluded that these areas were facing shortage of doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff, adding that any health worker interested to work in quake-hit areas could contact the PMA office particularly during Eid holidays.—APP