ISLAMABAD The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Tuesday cleared seven development projects with an estimated cost of about Rs560 billion, including two foreign-funded schemes to secure $1.7bn financing from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Of them, three mega projects beyond the financial powers of the CDWP worth Rs545bn were referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) with the recommendation for their formal approval.

The remaining four smaller projects worth Rs15bn were approved at the CDWP meeting presided over by Minister for Planning and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal.

As such, four projects approved by the CDWP included two in the health sector and one each in youth and manpower and science & technology. The first project, “Prime Minister’s Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes Mellitus,” worth Rs6.8b, was approved by the CDWP.

The project envisages prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Diabetes through awareness, advocacy, & communication, diagnosis at the primary health centre (PHC) facilities and referral for treatment at tehsil and district headquarters (THQ/DHQ) facilities.

The project seeks provision of diagnostic kits (Urine sticks and Haem-glucostix testing) and procurement of medicines at PHC facilities, training and capacity building of healthcare workers, awareness, advocacy and communication campaigns.

The CDWP approved the programme’s launch in federal areas (ICT, AJK and GB) in Year 1 (FY 2024-25). Side by side, provincial coordination will continue to get the commitment of 50pc financial contributions from the provinces after the programme is implemented nationwide.

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The second health sector project, “Improvement of Maternal and Child Health Equipment in Flood-affected and Surrounding Areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa”, was approved by the CDWP at an estimated cost of Rs3.147bn.

The third project pertained to the manpower and youth sector. “Balochistan Youth Internship Program- Under Post-flood 2022 Reconstruction Program; Resilience Enhancement and Livelihood Diversification in Balochistan” was approved at a cost of Rs1.82bn.

The 4th project approved by the CDWP was related to Science & Technology sector for “Establishment of Institute of Petroleum Technology” in Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at an estimated cost of Rs3.27bn.

The first project cleared by CDWP for Ecnec approval included “Prime Minister’s Programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C Infection”, estimated at Rs67.77bn. The project is designed with a 51pc federal share and a 49pc provincial share. It aims to screen, test, and treat 50pc of the eligible population (82.5 million individuals aged 12 and above) for Hepatitis C.

The project aims to conduct rapid screening tests, PCR testing, and a 12-week oral treatment regimen for affected individuals. The Federal Government will supply 100pc of the Rapid Diagnostic Test kits for screening, 30pc of the PCR testing supplies, and 50pc of the medicines required for treatment. “However, the provision of these commodities will be contingent upon provinces meeting specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs),” a statement said.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2024