KARACHI, July 16: Sindh government has increased the stipend amount for nurses from Rs1,500 to Rs3,000 per month, as being paid in other provinces.

This was stated by Sindh chief minister's advisor on Health, Faisal Malik, on Friday, who was on a visit to the government hospitals in Sukkur, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Ghotki, Mirpurkhas, Mithi, Thatta and Badin, in connection with the ongoing anti-polio drive.

He also reviewed medical facilities being provided to people and also listened to the problems of patients. He said that the number of hospital beds was also being increased in the interior of Sindh to provide better medical facilities to patients.

Talking to medical and paramedical staff, the advisor said the Sindh government wanted eradication of polio from the province by the end of year 2004, and, as such, the staff was expected to double its efforts in this regard.

Taking notice of public complaints during the visit, Faisal Malik directed the health department officials to ensure provision of better facilities to people, adding that any inefficiency in this regard would be dealt strictly. -APP