LAHORE: Expressing solidarity with the flood-affected people of other provinces, Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi on Thursday sent a relief mission, comprising doctors and paramedics along with medicines and relief supplies, to Sindh and Balochistan.

A ceremony of sending the medical relief mission to Sindh and Balochistan was held in the Chief Minister’s Office on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said 296 doctors, nurses and dispensers were being sent to Sindh and Balochistan as a goodwill gesture of the Punjab Health Department. He said nine truckloads of medicines were also being sent to the flood victims by the health department. Medical specialists, nurses and dispensers from the Fatima Jinnah Medical University and the University of Child Health will set up medical camps in the affected areas and dry rations would be given to the flood victims.

Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said the flood victims of other provinces would be helped properly as Punjab would be playing the role of an elder brother. She said the Punjab government was standing by the flood victims in this hour of trial. While rising above politics, she said, it’s high time that the flood-hit people be looked after without any discrimination.

“The passion of doctors, nurses and staff to help the flood victims is commendable,” the minister added.

Earlier, Punjab Ehsaas Programme chairperson Dr Sania Nishtar called on the chief minister in his office and decided to expand scope of the programme.

Approving the increase in the monthly subsidy per family under the Ehsaas Ration Discount Programme, the CM said deserving families would be able to buy flour, ghee and pulses at the rate 40pc cheaper than the market. He ordered the early launch of the Ehsaas Ration Discount Programme. While approving the twofold increase in the per capita amount of food for children, girls and the elderly living in welfare institutions managed by the social welfare department, Mr Elahi said the quality and quantity of food items in the welfare institutions would be improved.

The P&D chairman, finance secretary and others were present in the meeting.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2022