Daily Times

Karachi: A ceremony was held at Sindh Government Children Hospital (SGCH) on Tuesday to mark the upcoming World Health Day 2018 in collaboration of World Health Organisation (WHO) and Poverty Eradication Initiative (PEI).

The day is observed every year on April 7 to raise awareness about public health concerns across the globe.

The ceremony held at the SGCH was based on this year’s theme: “Universal Health Coverage”.

Multiple stakeholders, including government, civil society, the private sector, and intergovernmental agencies and community participated in the event.

Introducing the organisation to the guests and the audience, Sindh Peoples Health Programme (SPHP) project manager Dr. Qadeer Ahsan said, “PEI was established in 2002 as a non-profit and non-political organisation in order to reduce poverty burden in Pakistan. It is working in all 29 districts of Sindh under Sindh Peoples Health Programme banner and is a collaborative effort by PEI and Department of Health, Sindh, under its Public Private Partnership Node. The organisation aims to implement Universal Health Coverage (UHC) approach to strengthen the health systems in Sindh.”

“One such effort is geared at decreasing the financial burden for provision of medical and surgical supplies to 200 public sector hospitals across Sindh to improve quality medical services, especially for the poorest members of the community. PEI has already established 40 counters at participating hospitals to facilitate poorest of the poor attending both out and in-patient facilities. In relation to provision of medical and surgical supplies, SPHP ensures that supplies are fully and appropriately utilised by healthcare providers. Therefore, a pool of health care providers will be trained as master trainers to assess the learning needs of healthcare providers in each hospital and to trickle down trainings, accordingly. The master trainers will also ensure quality healthcare practices as per internationally accredited healthcare standards.”

SGCH Chief Operating Officer Dr. Fatima Mohbat Ali told the gathering that the hospital was ‘a 220 bed facility, equipped with the latest medical equipment and newly built Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Pediatric Surgical High Dependency Unit (PSHDU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and clinical laboratory.”

“SGCH’s vision is to be the best children’s hospital in Karachi, envisaging to become an institution of first choice in terms of human resource development, appropriate technology, better access, excellent quality care and sustainability. SGCH is committed to provide advanced pediatric care to the patients.”

Jameel Ahmed Khan, former Pakistani ambassador to UAE was the chief guest. Dr Sara Salman, Head of office, WHO, Sindh; Dr.Fakhar Naseeb, Deputy Director Health, Karachi; Dr. Kamran Saeed Rizvi, Deputy Director Preventive, Karachi; and Muzaffar Ali Odho, District Coordinator LHW Programme, Karachi were also present. Guests toured the hospital and distributed presents among the children.

Dr. Farooq Ahmed Khan, the medical superintendent of SGCH, was also present on the occasion.

Published in Daily Times, March 04^th 2018.