A delegation of DFID calls on Secretary Health Punjab

Lahore: Mission of Department for International Development (DFID), UK currently visiting Pakistan met Secretary Health Punjab Jawad Rafique Malik at Civil Secretariat. The delegation included Advisor Dr. Ayesha Rasheed, Governance Advisor Naveed, Technical Advisor Sherwan, Provincial Coordinator TRF Plus Dr. Anwar Janjua, Ms Diane Northway and Farooq Azam whereas Project Director Punjab Health Sector Reforms Programme Ali Bahadur Qazi, Additional Director General Integrated Programme for Mother & Child Health Punjab Dr. Zafar Ikram and other officers were also present on the occasion.

Secretary Health informed DFID delegation about the steps taken for provision of mother and child health facilities at primary level, resolution of problems of women and children health, lady health workers’ training and other administrative matters. He told that government is upgrading rural health centers and basic health units for providing gyne facilities and increasing basic treatment facilities of women and children in far-flung areas. He said that the programme of providing gyne facilities 24 hours at basic health units is being expanded under 24/7 programme.

Jawad Rafique Malik gave a briefing about the steps taken for looking after pregnant women and vaccination of new born babies. He said that all these steps aimed at controlling the death rate of new born babies and pregnant women during pregnancy and achieving the 4-5 Millennium development goals by ensuring provision of basic health facilities at union council level. Members of DFID delegation expressing their satisfaction over the progress of health indicators by Health Department Punjab appreciated the efforts of provincial government in the uplift of health sector and assured to continue mutual cooperation