KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has underlined need to provide better healthcare facilities to the needy, poor and deprived people particularly in rural areas.

He emphasized this during a presentation on the progress and performance of Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative at Chief Minister House. He referred to shortage of medicines and other facilities including absence of doctors in many of the healthcare units, across the province.

The Chief observed with deep concern that many of the doctors, despite being on the pay roll of the health department, were not even attending duties, particularly in remote areas.

He directed the health department to ensure availability of doctors and other staff in all the BHUs, Rural Health Centers and other hospitals so that due attention is paid to address the medical needs of the masses.

Regarding occupation of many of the Basic Health Units by influential persons and government departments, Syed Qaim Ali Shah directed the Health Department to recover rental charges from them and also to prosecute the encroachers.

He appreciated the performance in respect of Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative launched in ten districts by making 558 basic health units functional in ten districts of Sindh out of 859 BHUs.