PESHAWAR, March 4: The World Health Organisation (WHO) is strengthening a basic development need project in Nowshera and Fata, an official said.

The federal health department in collaboration with the WHO has launched a five-year programme in all the provinces and Fata last year. The government has allocated Rs1,700 million, of which Rs75million would be spent in Fata.

Under the scheme, around 100 women health workers would get training to inform mothers about hygiene, vaccination, protection of children against common ailments, reproductive health, preparation of oral re-hydration salt (ORS) and malnutrition etc.

Two mother and child health centres would be established in Darwazgai and Dheri Khatikhel villages in Nowshera district, with each catering to the health needs of 20,000 population.

Two labour rooms have also been established in two rural villages.

“Eight safe drinking water schemes have been launched in Shah Kot, Darwazgai, Jalozai and Ziarat Kaka Sahib in Nowshera at a cost of Rs700,000,” said official.

The project, aimed at the empowerment of women and community participation in local development, had been started by the WHO in Nowshera district in 1995.