KARACHI, March 8: Sindh Minister for Health Syed Sardar Ahmed on Thursday asked the Rangers personnel to vacate the Urban Health Centre, Orangi Town, to facilitate normal functioning of the institution.

He issued the directive during his visit various government-run health facilities in Orangi Town, including the UHC. In-charge of the centre and some public representatives informed the minister that about 28-30 Rangers personnel had been staying in the UHC, occupying the first floor of the three-storey building, for many years. Due to the situation, they maintained, patients had been facing many problems. Due to the occupation, no ward at the centre was being maintained whereas only the OPD facility was being offered to patients, observed a member of the minister’s team.

The minister asked the Rangers officers about the matter and one of them told him that they had to stay on as no alternative place had been made available to them.

The minister assured the officers that they would be provided some other suitable place, and asked them to vacate the building.

Earlier, at Qatar Hospital, Syed Sardar Ahmad announced that admissions to the Nursing School, established within the hospital, would be opened in August. He also declared that the female nursing students would be granted a monthly stipend of Rs2,500 each.

MPA Syed Abdul Qudoos informed the minister that majority of the Orangi population was poor and the hospital served a very big number of patients. As such, he maintained, more funds should be allocated to the hospital.

After presentation by senior hospital officials, the minister said that arrangements would be made soon for the appointment of a neuro surgeon for the hospital.

At the Orangi Maternity Home, the only lady doctor available there informed the minister that the health unit was facing shortage of staff and medicines, besides electricity and water. The minister held out assurance that necessary steps would be taken to improve the facilities at all health care units in Orangi Town.