PESHAWAR, Aug 13: The Aga Khan Family Health Centre was inaugurated here on Tuesday to provide healthcare services to the local people as well as Afghan refugees, a press release said.

Inaugurating the centre, Dr Luis Sampaio, president of the Institute of Portuguese for Health and Development (IPAD) also announced US$100,000 for the centre and urged the people to contact the centre for their medical needs.

The ambassador of Portugal, Dr Alexander Vassalo, was also present on the occasion.

Vice-Chairman Ali Ratancy, The Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan, said the project would go a long way in improving the health delivery system in the city for the poor.

The chairman of the Aga Khan Health Services, Pakistan, Dr Hanif Ismail, said the government of Portugal, IPAD and Assistance Medical International (AMI), a Portugal-based NGO, have been carrying out projects in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation and the Aga Khan Health Services since 2001 to consolidate the primary healthcare programme.

At present, the centre would cater to the needs of about 30,000 people, including Afghan refugees, living in Sikandar Town and adjacent areas, he said. The project reflected the cooperation between the Aga Khan Development Network and the governments of Portugal and Pakistan, he added.

He also thanked the participants for attending the ceremony, and hoped the people would be benefited by the project.