RAWALPINDI, Jan 27: The district Nazim, Raja Tariq Kiani, has said Rs7 million has been allocated for the repair and maintenance of grass-roots health care facilities in the district.

Talking to this reporter on Monday, he said the health department had been asked to prioritise the Basic Health Units, requiring maintenance and the repair works.

The repair works, he said, included roof treatment, repair and fixing of windows and doors, replacement of internal wiring, bathrooms maintenance and white wash of buildings.

He said the buildings of three BHUs —- one in the suburbs of Rawalpindi and two in Kahuta —- had been declared dangerous and extra funds would be allocated for their reconstruction.

The Nazim said the departments concerned had been asked to provide the missing facilities at the BHUs particularly electricity and water. There are seven BHUs in Rawalpindi district that are without electricity and around 16 do not have arrangements for water.

He said all these facilities would be made available on priority to make these health care outlets fully functional for the convenience of patients.

Earlier, speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Sub- National Immunisation Day for giving polio vaccine to children under five years of age, Mr Kiani said the disease would possibly be wiped out completely by next year.

He said due to immunisation campaigns, the last polio case in the district was reported in August 2001.

The immunisation days held in high risk areas are again being held in Rawalpindi city, cantonment and suburbs from January 28 to 30.

During the three-day campaign, 280,864 children would be vaccinated. The entire area has been divided into two zones and seven sub-zones.

Meanwhile, the district Nazim on Monday kicked off the sanitation week in the city.

The week, which would continue till February 3, aims at creating awareness among the residents about cleanliness.

The Nazim took part in sanitation activities in Dhoke Khillu Khan, Dhoke Khabba, Workshopi Mohalla, Raja Bazaar and Dhoke Ratta.

He called upon the people to maintain cleanliness in their neighbourhood as a civic responsibility. He also ordered action against butchers found involved in overcharging.

Students of educational institutions and around 2,000 sanitary workers are taking part in the sanitation activities for which the city has been divided into four sectors.

Action against smoke-emitting vehicles has also been planned during the week. In this regard, the secretary for Regional Transport Authority and deputy superintendent of traffic police had warned the transporters to get their automobiles repaired.