KARACHI, July 13: Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro on Saturday said the provincial government despite its budgetary constraints has increased health budget for welfare of the people and believed in public-private partnership in the health sector.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the new orthopaedic ward at the Civil Hospital Karachi he said philanthropists and NGOs were requested to join hands with the government for the welfare of people and quoted the example of completion of a modern burns ward by the Burns Care Society at the hospital.

The governor recalled that Prof Yunis Soomro, head of the Orthopaedic Department, was determined to establish the new operation theatre complex and for that he worked very hard.

Mr Soomro hoped that Prof Soomro’s friends, well-wishers and donors would cooperate with him and carry on the good work in running the facility as a state-of-art complex.

The new orthopaedic operation theatre complex, the governor noted, is well-furnished with sophisticated modern equipment and a central air-conditioning system.

Mr Soomro pointed out that equipment and air-conditioning were not the requirements for success, rather, he added, “it is the surgeon and his skills, and devotion which play an important role in treating the patients.”

He hoped that the team of Prof Soomro and the members of the concerned departments would realise that people have great hopes in their talents and they would honour the trust the community and the government have reposed in them.

He congratulated the administration of the Civil Hospital for completing many projects through private-public partnership. The completion of the modern burns ward is another good example for others to follow, he added.

He thanked the donors and philanthropists, social workers and doctors in the administration who were working on different projects in the Civil Hospital.

Provincial health minister Ahsan Ahmed paid tributes to Prof Soomro and said he deserved an appreciation not only in words but also in deeds.

Referring to the inauguration of the new orthopaedic operation theatre, the minister said the occasion showed that there was a tremendous desire among the faculty members, the administrators and others to work continuously to solve the patients’ problems.

He said the annual figure of admissions to each unit was in the range of 900-1000 patients. Nearly 800 to 900 major operations are performed every year by each unit. Minor operations performed per year are more than 1500, which shows the tremendous workload on the department.

Ahsan Ahmed said in spite of their busy academic, clinical and surgical schedules, the doctors have spared time to solve patients’ problems.

He said it is a a matter of appreciation that Prof Soomro has a vision of problems. In this progressive era of mechanization, cases of trauma are increasing tremendously, and in future the country will need extraordinary efforts in planning a viable trauma centre of a size which would be truly functional.

He announced to extend cooperation to Prof Soomro in the establishment of the Illzarov centre, a centre of excellence at the Civil Hospital.

“In this progressive era of mechanization, cases of trauma are increasing tremendously and in future we will need extraordinary efforts in planning a viable trauma centre of a size which will be truly functional,” he contended.—APP/PPI