On the direction of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, it has been decided to establish rehabilitation centers for disabled persons at divisional level in the province. Three centers at Sargodha, Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur would be set up during the current fiscal year on which Rs.100 million would be spent. In this project, International Council for Red Crescent (ICRC), Chal Foundation and Indus Karachi would extend cooperation to the Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department.
It was disclosed by the Secretary Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department Najam Ahmed Shah while presiding over a meeting regarding establishment of rehabilitation centers, in his office, here today. Additional Secretary Development Zaheer Abbas Malik, Chief Operating Officer Chal Foundation Dr. Bakht Sarwar, Head of delegation ICRC Reto Stocker and other concerned officers of the department also attended the meeting. It was informed that land has been identified for three rehabilitation centers at Bahawalpur, Sargodha and Rawalpindi. Secretary SH&ME directed that the process of transfer and possession of land should immediately be completed with the help of Commissioners and DCOs of the concerned divisions. He directed that PC-I for the construction of the said centers also be prepared immediately. It was informed that 100 million rupees would be spent on the construction of the centers while government would provide land for this purpose. Moreover, Rs.90.00 million would be annual recurring expenditure for the provision of artificial limbs to the disabled persons and their rehabilitation. CEO Chal Foundation Dr. Bakht Sarwar revealed that 4500 patients would get benefit from these rehabilitation centers. Najam Ahmed Shah directed that the scrutiny of the complete designs of the centers, requirement of human resource, operational expenditures etc. must be completed within a week. He also directed to convene the next meeting in the coming week so that the project should be started on fast track basis.