MITHI: Members of civil society and activists of non-governmental organisations have rejected government’s claims and demanded the Mithi Civil Hospital should stop referring ailing children to teaching hospitals in Hyderabad and Karachi.

They urged the government to provide required facilities to Thar hospitals and called for declaring Thar as drought-hit and devising strategies for permanent solution of the area’s issues.

They were speaking at a meeting with commissioner of Mirpurkhas division, Shafiq Ahmed Mehsar, here on Sunday.

They said that distributing a few bags of wheat or providing medicines to some healthcare centers were not a solution to the mess of decades.

Mr Mehsar announced forming a seven-member committee comprising revenue officials, NGO activists and journalists to visit affected areas and recommend corrective measures to the government.

PML-N leader criticises Sindh government

Khiyal Das Kohistani, general secretary of PML-N minority wing Sindh chapter, said at a press conference at Thar Press Club in Mithi on Sunday that the Sindh government had created a mess in the drought-hit Thar.

He warned if the government did not resolve shortage of doctors and medicines, PML-N workers would besiege offices and houses of PPP leaders.

Minister says govt in control of situation

Sindh Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation Ali Hassan Hingorjo said at a press conference at the deputy commissioner’s office in Mithi on Sunday that he would request the chief minister to distribute wheat among 150,000 families of the district.

He said that funds had been provided to shift serious patients to teaching hospitals in Karachi and Hyderabad.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2016