QUETTA: The Balochistan government is determined to meet the millennium development goals in health sector as it earmarked Rs1 billion for the purpose soon after coming into power, Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has said.

During a visit on Friday to the Children Hospital, Quetta, established with funds provided by the German government, Dr Baloch said that previous governments did not procure medical equipment but the present coalition had reversed the trend.

Visiting various units of the hospital, including its OPD, laboratory, x-ray machines, dental unit, vaccination centre, operation theatre and blood bank, Dr Baloch lauded the performance of doctors and other hospital staff.

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He also asked the parents present about the care being provided to their children, adding that qualified doctors were providing the “best treatment at cheap rates”.

The chief minister said that facilities at all government and district hospitals had improved.

The hospital’s chief executive, Dr Abdullah Jan Jaffar, briefed Dr Baloch on the performance of the hospital and its requirements.

Health Secretary Noor-ul-Haq Baloch and other officers concerned were present on the occasion.

At another function the chief minister said his government was determined to eliminating the menace of drug abuse from the society as thousands of youths had become drug addicts.

He said he would take action against SHOs and DSPs of the areas where drug dens were found to be operating.

Addressing some under-treatment addicts, he said the government had taken notice of the UNDP report and decided that strict action would be taken against all the elements involved — from peddlers to abusers.

Dr Baloch said he would do everything possible to rehabilitate addicts with the Rs1 million the government had provided for the purpose.

He requested members of the civil society and philanthropists to help people and institutions engaged in the noble cause.

Others who spoke on the occasion included provincial Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, Minister for Sports and Culture Mir Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Mohammad Hasni, Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani and Dr Syed Ramzan Agha.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2015

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