KARACHI, Oct 22: Minister for health and population, Maj-Gen Ahsan Ahmed, has said that importance of paramedical staff cannot be denied as they are the backbone of the health department.

He was talking, at his office, to the newly elected office-bearers of the Sindh Paramedical Staff Association led by their president Muhammad Musharraf.

Muhammad Musharraf informed the minister that the houses of the paramedical staff had not been repaired for many years and the houses and flats of low-income employees of the health department were also in dilapidated condition.

Muhammad Umer Dahri apprised that nurses residing at the Nursing hostel, Civil Hospital Sukkur, had to pay all the utility bills, whereas it was the responsibility of the hospital management.

Abdul Sattar Abbasi, Asghar Pathan and Rahim Buksh praised the steps taken by the minister with regard to free treatment facilities for the paramedical staff. They requested him to finalize the service structure of the staff under his ministry.

The health minister felicitated the office-bearers and expressed the hope that their members would continue to take care of patients with sincerity and commitment.—PPI/APP