KARACHI - Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has decided to establish child protection units at all the women police stations to deal with child abuse cases.

He took this decision while presiding over a meeting of Child Protection Committee here at the CM House on Monday. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers and concerned officials.

He directed the Child Protection Authority (CPA) to convene its meeting and also involve some experts on child abuse and firm up solid and workable recommendations for establishing child protection units where children, their parents/guardian or friends of the society can approach easily.

“I want to receive these recommendations within a week,” he said.

The IG police proposed that a separate desk for child protection could also be established at Police Facilitation Centers.

The social welfare department proposed to establish a separate police force comprising senor lady police officers with other properly trained policemen to deal such cases.

The chief minister said that he wanted concrete measures for the child protection. “The child protection unit should be seen operating and giving results,” he said and added therefore the Child Protection Authority (CPA) should hold its full session meeting and come up with solid recommendation. “I don’t have problem with sparing funds for the purpose and even I am ready to outsource the centers but want results,” he said.

The proposal to establish CPU at women police stations has been approved but its implementation would be made when Child Protection Authority would come up with other proposals within a week.

NICVD MEETING HELD

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presiding over 77th Governing Body meeting of NICVD and appreciated its mobile unit services through which 18700 patients of chest pain have been examined and given first aid.

The board meeting was attended by Health Minister Dr Sikandar Mendhro, Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza, MPA Dr Sohrab Sarki, Principal secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Secretary health Fazal Pechuho, Executive Director JPMC Dr Seemi Jamali, Executiev Director NICVD Dr Nadeem Qamar, Arif Habib and others.

Briefing the board, executive director NICVD Dr Nadeem Qamar said that the NICVD has launched five Mobile Chest Pain Units in the city. These units were deployed in the areas of Gulsha-i-Iqbal in May, Gulbai in July, Malir in July and Nagan Chowarngi in November. He added that 18700 patients, including 13661 male and 5039 female patients were examined  by the doctors and concerned staff deployed on the mobile units. He went on saying that among the 18700 patients, 8399 were cardiac, 10,201 non-cardiac and 8904 were referred to NICVD and 9796 were discharged.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed Dr Nadeem Qamar to deploy 25 more units in the city and 40 units in rural areas of the province. “This is proving to be a best, free of cost and approachable service for poor and helpless patients,” he said.

The chief minister was told that the NICVD Satellite Center Larkana was made functional on May 13, 2017. This satellite has benefited 704 patient, including performing 91 angiographies, 160 early invasive, four elective PCI and 499 primary PCI. He added that weekly pediatric OPD is conducted there.

The chief minister on the pointation of the Executive Director NICVD said that he would provide necessary funds for completion of the reaming construction work of the Satellite center Larkana.

Giving details of NICVD Satellite Center Tando Mohammad Khan, Dr Nadeem said that it was started on October 19, 2017 and so far 303 patients have been given benefit. He added that 80 angiographies, 101 early invasive, nine elective PCI and 114 primary PCI procedure have been performed there. He said that both adult and Pediatric OPDS and ECHOs are also being performed on a regular basis.

Giving details of NICVD Hyderabad he told the board that it started functioning from November 25, 2017 and so far it has performed over all 88 procedures, including 7 angiographies, 10 early invasive, two elective PCI and 69 primary PCIs.

The chief minister directed executive director NICVD to put up request for funds for Hyderanad Satellite.  The chief minister and the board members appreciated the services of the NICVD and also allowed the NICVD to fill its vacant positions of specialists and other staff.