KARACHI, June 24: The city government has decided to set up an institute of infectious diseases to help control contagious diseases, besides to upgrade its leprosy hospital.

This was stated by the city nazim, Naimatullah Khan, while speaking at a ceremony held at CDGK's leprosy hospital, Manghopir, in connection with "World Leprosy Day".

He also asked CDGK's EDO-Health and medical superintendent of the hospital to undertake a survey to know the exact number of leprosy patients in the city, so they could be given proper treatment.

Commending on the role of the leprosy hospital, the nazim said the hospital, which was set up in 1886, had been providing treatment to leprosy patients of the entire country despite its limited resources.

Emphasising the need for creating awareness among the public about leprosy and tuberculosis, he said, a sustainable campaign should be launched, as it would help in early diagnosis of these diseases.

He also asked officials concerned to chalk out a rehabilitation plan for leprosy patients, while proposing a broad-based survey for an expanded programme of leprosy. Referring to the problems being faced by low-paid employees of the hospital, he directed the officials concerned to release leprosy allowance to all employees of the hospital, besides proposing an increase in the stipend given to patient workers (low-paid workers).

Earlier, Naimat paid glowing tributes to Dr Ruth Fau for devoting her entire life to the welfare of leprosy patients. The ceremony was attended, among others, by EDO Health Dr Fazal Illahi Memon, DO (Health Education) Dr Hamayun Farrukh, Leprosy Hospital's MS Dr Muhammad Ali Abbasi, and nazim's co-ordinator for health Dr Abdullah Muttaqi. The nazim, later, distributed gifts among the patients.

Naimat said that as soon as he receives recommendations from concerned individuals, he would constitute committees comprising medical experts, and those actively involved in the treatment programme, to ensure that meaningful results were derived.

He maintained that the city government despite resource constraints was making all-out efforts to improve facilities in the city - mainly meant to benefit the common man.

He claimed that measures based on four basic principles were adopted by the city government, with merit being at the top. He, in this regard, also appreciated the concerned officials and government authorities in helping the elected representatives.