KARACHI: Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho has said that the Sindh government plans to extend paediatric and neonatal intensive care services as part of its efforts to tackle the high infant mortality rate in the province.

Speaking at a media briefing organised at the New Secretariat to highlight this year’s performance of the health department on Monday, she stated that a major concern for the provincial government in the health sector has been the high infant mortality rate.

These deaths, she explained, are predominantly reported in premature and malnourished babies.

“To address this critical issue, the government has established an exclusive paediatric and neonatal intensive care unit at a Korangi hospital, which is equipped with modern medical facilities and staffed by experienced professionals,” she said.

Minister says only 75pc of deliveries in Sindh currently take place in health facilities, efforts underway to further improve this statistics

She added that similar services have been initiated in Sukkur, with plans to expand them to other cities, including Jamshoro.

These facilities, she noted, will operate under the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology in Korangi.

Elaborating on the causes of newborn deaths, she identified birth asphyxia — a serious condition caused by insufficient oxygen during birth — and neonatal infections due to unsafe delivery practices as the leading factors contributing to newborn mortalities in Pakistan.

“To combat this, we are strengthening primary healthcare units and training staff. Currently, 75 per cent of deliveries in Sindh take place in healthcare facilities, and we aim to further improve this status. The Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiatives, which currently provide immunisation and family planning services, will be equipped to offer delivery services as well.”

About the projects in Karachi, she said a cardiac hospital would soon be operational in Baldia Town while plans were afoot to upgrade the Sobhraj and Azizabad hospitals in collaboration with the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.

“We have also asked the Karachi mayor to make the Spencer Eye Hospital effectively operational with the support of the health department. Unfortunately, the hospital is in poor condition right now,” she said.

The government, the minister said, planned to build medical and surgical towers at the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) and renovate the old hospital building under a master plan.

Modern gastroenterology departments, like the one currently operational at CHK, would be set up in other districts. Also, the new paediatric unit at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases would soon be completed.

“Nursing training would be strengthened through a master’s degree programme. There would also be English language and computer literacy and technical programmes for the medical staff that would not only help them improve their skills but also open up better employment opportunities. We want also want to introduce a degree programme for the paramedical staffs that currently pursue a certificate course,” she said.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2024