LARKANA: Integrated Health Services (IHS) Provincial Manager Kashif Raza said that as many as 67,635 patients visited Out-Patient Department (OPD) of 25 health facilities of Larkana during the month of November in the year 2016. He claimed that number of patients increased to 123,650 in November, 2017 when IHS took charge of the health facilities. He said Antenatal (ANCs) visits during 2016 were 34,303 but the number increased to 56,762 in 2017, after IHS intervened. Raza claimed that emergency treatment was available in only six healthcare units of five districts of Larkana whereas 24 healthcare units are providing emergency care after IHS took charge that is available round-the-clock. Mother & Child Healthcare (MNCH) services were available in only eight facilities but now 19 healthcare units are providing MNCH facilities available round-the-clock. After visiting Rural Health Centres of Garhi Khuda Bukhsh and Naundero on Monday, he spoke to media. District Manager Dr Khalil Ahmed accompanied him. He further said that in 2016, as many as 66,060 patients were facilitated by laboratory services but 191,648 patients availed the services in 2017. Furthermore, till November 2016, as many as 12,290 X-rays were conducted whereas 17,288 X-rays were carried out in 2017. He claimed that indoor health facilities are enhanced and ultrasound facility is now available. He said IHS would establish modern health facilities under Public Private Project, a comprehensive plan that would upgrade all targeted facilities (phase-wise) for the poor masses of rural Sindh in every district. He said IHS has been granted management of 111 health facilities across 20 districts of Sindh. Kashif Raza said that after taking charge of these facilities as many 325 HCPs/Support staff has been recruited on vacant posts. Published in Daily Times, April 17th 2018.