KARACHI, Jan 6: The Sindh health department has established a health forum comprising more than 40 experts, educationists and former bureaucrats to enhance its overall performance and provide better medical facilities to the people at large, sources told Dawn.

The forum has been established on the directive of Health Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed and will hold its first meeting on January 9. Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has also been requested to attend the meeting.

Those nominated as members of the forum include former chief secretaries A. K. Lodhi and Salik Nazeer, former provincial health minister Prof S. M. Rab, secretary health, vice-chancellors of the Dow University of Health Sciences, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Ziauddin University, Baqai University, Isra University, head of Bismillah Taqi Institute of Blood Diseases and representatives of WHO and Unesco.

Sources said the forum would also contribute to the formulation of the new health policy. Suggestions from members of forum regarding improvement in medical facilities across the province would also be implemented.

“This forum will work as a think-tank which would share its expertise with the health department whenever needed,” said a source.