PESHAWAR, Oct 3: NWFP Health Minister Inayatullah Khan has directed the concerned officials to expedite initial work on establishment of an institute of child health.

This he said while chairing a meeting to reviewed progress made so far on the project. He also issued directives to them to finalise all arrangements for early start of the scheme.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Health Abdus Samad Khan, Prof Abdul Hameed, Chief of Health Sector Research and Reforms Younis Javed and Chief Planning Officer Rahimzada.

The meeting was informed that the government of Japan was taking keen interest in the project and had submitted it for final approval.

The meeting decided to establish the institute at the site of MRCA building and an adjacent plot. The Works and Services Department was directed to prepare its PC-I.

Paediatrician Prof Abdul Hameed, while highlighting aims and objectives of the institute, briefed the meeting that the institute would work for continuous medical education and research and would try to coordinate services of child health. He said apart from imparting training to all cadres of paediatric services, the institute would also plan for extending child health services at BHU and RHC level in the province.

It is worth mentioning that provincial government had already approved concept paper of the institute and sent it to the Federal Economic Affairs Division for final approval. An estimate of Rs1282 million had been made for the first phase of the the institute.

According to estimates, the government of Japan would provide Rs1207 million as assistance while Rs75 million would be borne by the provincial government in the shape of land and infrastructure.