HYDERABAD, June 17: The district government has chalked out a plan of providing free medical treatment to patients suffering from hepatitis, diabetes, breast cancer and kidney dialysis, said District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil.

Inaugurating the one-window Fee Recovery Centre at Bhitai Hospital Latifabad-5 on Monday, he said one-window collection counter had been established to facilitate patients required to pay fees in different departments.

Mr Jamil said the district government was spending a big chunk of the budget on health sector while looking after construction of six hospitals, including a trauma centre, and other hospitals and dispensaries.

Diabetes testing in all big hospitals was being undertaken free of charge, he said explaining that the treatment of hepatitis was extremely costly as a single vaccine costs Rs50,000.

Some Rs7.5 million were allocated for it in the last budget but in this year’s document around Rs15 million had been allocated keeping in view the increase in number of patients, said district nazim. He was informed that no less than 437 hepatitis patients were administered the vaccine, while 465 more had been registered.

Kanwar Jamil was informed of the installation of four dialysis machines out of which one was reserved for hepatitis patients only, as the disease was highly contagious. Doctors said dialysis facilities were being provided free of charge.

He was further informed that with the cooperation of NIMRA Jamshoro, initial investigation of breast cancer including scanning, ultrasound and other tests were conducted free of cost every Tuesday.

Kanwar Naveed Jamil regretted the transfer of doctor sent on special training by the district government, as according to him they shouldn’t be transferred at least for two years after completing their training.

He directed the concerned authorities to remove encroachments from outside the hospital.

JSQM: Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz chairman Basheer Qureshi and other party leaders have opposed the proposed construction of Bhasha Dam.

In a statement, they urged the United States to take notice of the government decision to hand over contract of Bhasha dam to a Chinese company.