Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Rawalpindi: Following directives from the Chief Minister of Punjab, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) Abdul Rehman Khan ordered Medical Superintendents (MS) of allied hospitals on Friday to launch an immediate deep-cleaning and disinfection drive across all tertiary care and Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) hospitals in the district.

Chairing a virtual review meeting with healthcare administrators, ADC Abdul Rehman instructed officials to ensure thorough washing, sanitization, and infection-control treatment of all wards, Outpatient Departments (OPDs), emergency units, operation theatres, ICUs, corridors, and washrooms.

He directed all Medical Superintendents to personally supervise the sanitation campaign and submit compliance reports to the district administration upon completion. He also reiterated zero tolerance for any lapses in hospital hygiene and patient safety

Gilgit: Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Amjad Hussain has ordered an immediate and effective rescue operation after taking notice of reports that contact had been lost with a 10-member international mountaineering team following an avalanche on Broad Peak (8,047 metres).

According to official information from the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) and the district administration of Shigar, the Chief Minister directed all relevant departments and the district administration to remain on high alert and to expedite search-and-rescue efforts in close coordination with the Pakistan Army.

The Chief Minister said that every possible resource should be utilized to ensure the safety of the international expedition led by renowned mountaineer Nirmal “Nims” Purja. The team includes Hunza-based Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, along with mountaineers from Nepal, the United States, Oman, China and other countries.

Despite adverse weather conditions, he instructed the authorities to keep both aerial and ground rescue teams fully prepared so that immediate assistance could be provided as soon as weather conditions permit.

Expressing deep concern over the incident, Chief Minister Amjad Hussain prayed for the safety of all climbers. He directed the concerned authorities to keep him informed of the rescue operation’s progress on a moment-to-moment basis.

Burewala: Intermittent rain continued across Vehari, Burewala and adjoining areas on Friday, bringing welcome relief from intense heat and humid conditions.

The rainfall significantly lowered temperatures, with residents expressing relief after days of sweltering weather. However, electricity supply was disrupted in several urban and rural areas as power outages affected multiple feeders.

The rain also eased humidity, making the weather pleasant, while authorities remained on alert to address power restoration and any rain-related issues.

Sukkur: Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho on Friday inaugurated a state-of-the-art 50-bed Trauma and Emergency Response Centre (TandERC), established under the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma, during a visit to the Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College and Civil Hospital, Sukkur.

On the occasion, the health minister also formally launched the anti polio booster dose campaign by administering polio drops to children.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by MNA Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Sindh government spokesperson and Sukkur Mayor Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh, Sukkur Commissioner Abid Saleem Qureshi, Deputy Commissioner Nadir Shahzad Khan, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Principal Dr Saleh Channa, District Health Officer Dr Ali Gul Shah, senior officials of the health department and other relevant authorities.

Following the inauguration, Dr Pechuho inspected various sections of the Trauma and Emergency Response Centre, including the X-ray unit, minor operation theatre, emergency wards and other modern healthcare facilities.

She directed the authorities concerned to ensure the timely, uninterrupted and quality provision of medical services to patients.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Saleh Channa said that approximately 6,000 patients visited the hospital’s outpatient department every day, adding that the institution’s current annual budget of Rs400 million was insufficient to meet the growing demand for healthcare services.

He said that the suspension of non-development expenditure and recurrent funds, coupled with delays in the release of the revised budget, had created financial difficulties for the institution.

He requested the provincial health minister to provide additional funds for the hospital and medical college to enable them to improve and expand healthcare services for the public.

Sindh government spokesperson and Sukkur Mayor Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh said that the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government was taking practical measures to provide modern healthcare facilities and essential public services.

He said that the establishment of institutions such as the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (SICVD), children’s hospitals and other modern healthcare facilities reflected the government’s people-oriented policies.

MNA Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said that the Pakistan Peoples Party had completed several landmark projects in the health sector that had received recognition at the international level.

He cited the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), SICVD, the CyberKnife facility at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre in Karachi, children’s hospitals and trauma centres as examples of advanced healthcare services being provided to the public.

Mr Shah said that Sukkur was an important commercial and communication hub linking Sindh with Balochistan and Punjab.

He added that traffic pressure in the city had increased following the development of the motorway network.

In such circumstances, he said, the modern Trauma and Emergency Response Centre would play an important role in providing timely and effective treatment to victims of road accidents and other emergencies.

Dr Pechuho said that Mr Shah had consistently played a significant role in promoting public welfare and strengthening the healthcare sector in Sukkur.

She said that the establishment and expansion of modern healthcare institutions, including SICVD, children’s hospitals and the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), were the result of his sustained efforts.

Taking notice of the shortage of manpower and qualified faculty at Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College, the health minister directed the authorities concerned to immediately submit a summary so that additional teaching and medical staff

could be provided after consultation with the Sindh chief minister.

Dr Pechuho reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to continuing all possible efforts to ensure the provision of modern, quality and timely healthcare services to the people.

Khanewal: Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani on Friday directed the authorities to expand the embryo transfer facility to all districts in phases to promote the breeding of high-quality livestock and enable farmers to benefit from modern reproductive technology.

During a visit to the FonGrow Farm in Khanewal, the minister described the embryo transfer programme at the farm as a commendable initiative that would significantly improve the genetic quality of livestock and strengthen milk and meat production across Punjab. He instructed the relevant departments to ensure the gradual expansion of the facility throughout the province.

Kirmani said, Punjab government, under CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision, was committed to promote smarter technology adoption, aimed at giving a phenomenal boost to agriculture and livestock.

Reviewing the farm’s cotton crop, minister termed it a model of modern agricultural practices and directed officials to widely disseminate its successful cultivation techniques among farmers for result-oriented replication.

Highlighting the government’s livestock disease control efforts, he said, around 450,000 animals had been vaccinated against various diseases across Punjab during the previous year. He revealed that eight Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)-free compartments had also been established in the province, with Fon Grow farm being one of them.

The minister appreciated the farm’s embryo transfer and quality semen production facilities, saying these initiatives would help accelerate the breeding of superior livestock and enhance milk and meat output.

He further said the disease-free compartments would facilitate exports of milk, meat and semen in accordance with international standards, contributing to the growth of the livestock sector and strengthening the national economy.