HYDERABAD, April 27: Sindh Health Minister Naeem Ishtiaque has said that the government is working on a policy to provide basic health facilities to poor people.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of urology ward in the Shah Bhittai government hospital on Monday, he said that the establishment of the ward was a proof of government's intentions to people's basic health needs. He said that the three-storey building would be completed in 24 months at a cost of Rs6.358 million.

The minister said that the ward would be equipped with six dialysis machines. The minister said that the project was being commissioned under the instructions from MQM chief Altaf Hussain as a gift to the people of Hyderabad.

He asked the Taluka Nazim Latifabad to hand over the adjoining park to the hospital for its extension. Mr Ishtiaque pointed out that 80 per cent of the health budget was earmarked for the salaries of doctors and paramedical staff. Therefore, he said, they should perform their duties with commitment and devotion, irrespective of their political affiliations.

He held out an assurance that all genuine problems of the health department employees would be solved. He said that in future all appointments and transfers would be made on merit.