QUETTA: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday agreed to assist the Balochistan government in its flood relief activities and to improve the provincial healthcare system.

WHO Pakistan representative Dr Palitha Gunarathana Mahipala said this in a meeting with health officials, which was also attended by Parliamentary Secretary Dr Rubaba Buledi and Health Secretary Mir Dostain Khan Jamaldani here on Monday.

It was agreed in the meeting that WHO would launch a flood assessment programme and also review Balochistan’s healthcare system.

The meeting discussed matters related to health and flood projects under implementation in collaboration with WHO.

Dr Buledi briefed the visiting WHO officials on the steps taken by the provincial government in connection with the recent flash floods.

“People have been rescued in the flood affected areas while rescue work is under way in the districts that suffered more damage,” she said. She maintained that the provincial government would be in dire need of WHO’s help in case of Covid-19 outbreak in disaster-hit areas of Balochistan.

The WHO representatives lauded the efforts of the provincial government for their efforts in restoring the catastrophe-hit areas.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2020