KARACHI, June 6: Sindh Health Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed has approved a training programme for 800 community-based midwives under the Maternal, New Born and Child Health Programme of the provincial health department.

In a meeting held on Wednesday, it was decided that advertisements inviting applications for the proposed training would be published in all major newspapers in July.

The health minister said the department was taking a number of steps aimed at improving the health status of the masses. He said the training programme for community-based midwives was meant to improve maternal and infant health standards and life quality.

Sindh Mother and Child Care Project Director Dr Sahab Jan said the Maternal, New Born and Child Health Programme was being funded by the governments of Pakistan and Norway. She said the federal government would provide Rs3.246 million and the Norwegian government would offer 37 million dollars.

Dr Sahab Jan said Rs1.937 billion funds were being given for emergency obstetric and neo-natal; Rs0.840 million for community-based midwifery training; Rs0.030 million under the head of family planning; Rs0.016 million for nursing examination board; Rs0.128 million for printing and advocacy; Rs0.154 million for contingency and Rs0.159 million for other related utilities.

The minister was informed that the funds to be provided by Norwegian government would be in accordance with the “Need Base Assessment”. A committee, headed by Special Secretary for Public Health Dr Abdul Majid, would put forward recommendations.

The committee comprising Prof Sadqa Jaffery, Prof Zulfiqar Bhutta, Dr Shershah Syed, Prof Iqbal Memon, Dr Sahab Jan, Dr Khalid Shaikh and Dr Shakeel Malik was said to be in the process of finalising their recommendations.

Sindh Health Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed directed the special secretary for health to ensure provision of estimated expenditure on an yearly basis so that the money was arranged for the required year before hand preventing any delay or difficulty in sustenance.—APP