PESHAWAR: The health department in collaboration with World Health Organisation established Nutrition Stabilisation Centre to provide specialised treatment to children suffering from malnourishment.

Director General Health Services Dr Shaukat Ali along with Dr Palitha Mahipala, the WHO representative in Pakistan, inaugurated the centre at Maulvi Ameer Shah Memorial Hospital here on Wednesday, according to a press release.

The centre will play a crucial role in providing specialised treatment to severely acute malnourished children with complications. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the centre boasts a play area, lactation management room, and a well-furnished ward to ensure the best possible care for the children.

The WHO has provided the centre with essential equipment and supplies. The world health body is also conducting comprehensive training sessions for the service providers at the centre on managing children with severe acute malnutrition and associated complications.

Dr Palitha Mahipala, on the occasion, handed over essential medicines, equipment and supplies to the centre. At the initial stage, the centre features five well-equipped beds, a dedicated play area for children, a fully functional kitchen and washrooms.

Earlier, Dr Palitha Mahipala also visited the Rescue 1122 centre and donated 15 motorbikes and two mini-ambulances to it.

Dr Shaukat Ali appreciated WHO in addressing malnutrition-related challenges.

DENGUE: In a meeting here on Wednesday Health Secretary Mehmood Aslam Wazir highlighted the role of district health officers (DHOs) in eradicating dengue fever.

He said that DHOs in high-risk districts were responsible for eliminating dengue larvae in their respective areas. He said that they would be held responsible if their districts failed to address the issue of dengue fever.

Besides others, the meeting was attended DHOs of Peshawar, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera and Mardan attended the meeting.

Mr Wazir said that he was closely monitoring all activities related to dengue prevention and would not tolerate negligence from any district.

A total of 42 dengue cases have been reported in the province including 13 each in Peshawar and Mardan, five in Bajaur, three each in Chitral and Swabi, two in Dera Ismail Khan and one each in Khyber, Kohat, Lakki Marwat and Bannu.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2023