HYDERABAD, Feb 3 The government, despite limited resources, is providing basic health facilities to the people free of cost, said District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil during the inaugural of Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Sehrish Nagar, Qasimabad constructed at a cost of Rs17.5 million.

Initially, the BHU will have the facility of 10 beds, OPD and handle normal delivery cases with the addition of another 10 beds and surgical facilities, subsequently, he said.

Qasimabad hospital had been converted into 100 beds wing with the provision of ambulance service, general and eye surgeries and vaccination against hepatitis, said Kanwar Jamil adding that more wards would be added soon.

The district government had laid new water and sewerage pipelines at the cost of Rs120 million in the most neglected areas of Hyderabad, Sehrish Nagar UC-1 Area spreading on 12km, he said.

A big pumping station had been constructed to resolve sewerage problems of Qasimabad for at least another 20 years along with the construction of wide asphalt roads.

Mr Jamil claimed of providing basic facilities to poor people without any discrimination, including health, education and communication.

The EDO Health Dr Bux Ali Pitafi said that the Sehrish Nagar BHU was a fully equipped medical wing having three wards, a labour room and an immunisation centre with the appointment of doctors both male and female, health visitors, dispensers and paramedics.

District Health Committee Chairman Dr Arif Razmi, host UC Nazim Pervez Musharraf and councillors Sattar Soomro and Ms Shamim Chandio also spoke on the occasion.

OATH-TAKING The District Nazim administered the oath of newly-elected office-bearers of Anjuman Dukandaran-i-Resham Bazaar.

Mohammad Rashid was elected president and Yahya Shaikh, Tariq Shaikh, Ayoub Shaikh and Abdul Khaliq were elected vice- president, general secretary, joint secretary and treasurer, respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, the nazim expressed the hope that the newly elected office-bearers of the organisation would not only work for the rights of traders but also strive for development of the city.

He said that the businessmen were in a position to keep the city clean on self-help basis.