LARKANA, Oct 29: The Sindh minister for health and population welfare, Major General (R) Ahsan Ahmed, stressed to tap the possibilities of public-private partnership in health sector having focus on extending better medical facilities.

Addressing a gathering here on Monday after inaugurating 136-bedded extension portion of Shaikh Zayed Hospital for women, constructed at a cost of Rs 20.787 million, he said no government even the US, one could offer 100 per cent medical facilities through public hospitals.

Presently the Sindh government could only provide 35 per cent health facilities while 65 per cent services were coming from the private sector.

He said donations continue to flow in Karachi for running different even giant health entrepreneurs from philanthropists and donors and why not such practice was taking roots in Larkana.

“We should have to work with missionary zeal so as to attract donors for the smooth running of these medical units”, the minister said.

He said that his ministry had tried its best to overcome the shortage of teaching staff particularly in Chandka Medical College, Larkana, and Peoples Medical College, Nawabshah, but always the element of ‘private practice’ by seniors had embarrassed the situation.

I am not in “Khaki now so could not force any body to go and serve in particular area”, the minister said adding that despite all this he was striving hard to surmount the problem.

Responding to the demand of Dr Hussain Bakhsh Memon, Medical Superintendent of CMCH, Professor Sher Muhammed Shaikh, principal Chandka Medical College and Professor Ms Rafia Baluch, the head of the Gynaecology department, the minister assured that by the end of this fiscal year all the four operation theatres of new block would be equipped.

Professor Bilqees Malik, the first MS of Shaikh Zayed hospital for women, also spoke on the occasion.