March 1, 2006	Wednesday	Muharram 30, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 28: An Australian aid agency will construct two hospitals in the earthquake-hit areas of Azad Kashmir (AJK). Speaking at a news conference here on Tuesday, chief executive officer of Australian Aid International (AAI) Marc Preston said, “it’s not the time to take the eyes off the ball because the risk of spread of disease cannot be ruled out”.

In congested tent villages, the risk of spread of disease remains highest, Mr Preston said.

AAI had achieved major objectives of providing shelters to the homeless and medical facilities to the injured. It was the first to start revitalizing health system in Bagh, he said.

“We will work for improvement of local people’s health even after the relief operation in the quake-hit areas. We have now decided to actively participate in the reconstruction of areas in which we have been working, and will commence community development programmes in Kashmir,” the CEO said.

The AAI reached Pakistan on October 17 for its emergency relief operation, Mr Preston said. “AAI immediately began performing search and recovery operations in the most remote and isolated regions of AJK. We provided definitive care and evacuations, sometimes trekking over four hours in rough terrain at altitudes of 10,000ft and evacuated 100 survivors.”

AAI provided 1,200 shelters in collaboration with local NGOs, the CEO said, adding that they also distributed blankets and medical equipment, and treated over 2,000 patients in their initial six weeks operation.

He said they were currently supporting 12 basic health units which treated more than 2,100 patients every month. “We are actually working for provision of life time health protection to the people and have prepared a long-term plan,” he said.

AAI is also concentrating on the early warning disease surveillance, and maternal and child health care programmes.

“More than 14 training sessions have been held in disease surveillance, outbreak control and reporting of diseases. The participants of such sessions were representatives of every level of health care provider from lady health workers to doctors and district health offices. Our target is to train 200 trainers and we have trained 135 so far,” Mr Preston said.

He also highlighted the upcoming programmes such as ‘clean up the world programme’ for schools targeted in AAI’s hygiene project, rebuilding of priority health educational facilities, and promoting tourism in AJK.

Morbidity in children was her most serious concern said AAI Public Health Officer Liz Headley. “Children under the age of five are more prone to communicable diseases. Acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea and other health issues remain a worry. There is a need to strengthen ourselves to prevent spread of communicable diseases among children.”

Umar Iqbal, representing AAI, said: “We will continue to support the two clinics for years to come. We will support the training of trainers who will eventually contribute towards sustaining the medical facilities.”