Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the schools and colleges in quake-hit areas of Azad Kashmir and Hazara Division would be opened from next week to gear up the educational activities in these areas.
"The undamaged school buildings would be utilised besides federal government has provided special tents to the AJK and NWFP governments to open schools," he said while talking to reporters during his visit to Cantonment General Hospital (CGH) Rawalpindi.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by federal ministers for information, health and interior.
Shaukat Aziz visited different wards of the hospital and inquired about the well-being of the injured persons. He also inquired about the facilities being provided to patients in this hospital and was given briefing about the progress and performance of the hospital.
The Prime Minister was informed that 575 injured persons, including 242 male, 224 female and 109 children, have so far been admitted and are being treated. He was told that mostly orthopaedic patients were brought to the hospital. Shaukat Aziz told reporters that a team of federal education ministry in collaboration with Unicef and some NGOs is to submit a report next week on the needs for early resumption of educational activities in the quake-hit areas.
"The report will take into account all aspects for rebuilding the edifice of the education system in these areas. The government will provide large tents for the purpose, capable of housing about 40 students each, as well as textbooks, stationary and other educational material," he said.
The Prime Minister said that besides education, the government was making drastic efforts for provision of healthcare facilities in quake-hit areas. "CMHs of Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot have been completely destroyed. These hospitals were providing healthcare to entire population of these areas," he said, adding to compensate this field hospitals have been set up in these areas.
He lauded the role of doctors and volunteers, saying that their services at this hour of need are highly appreciable.
The Prime Minister announced Rs 50 million for Cantonment General Hospital and said "this hospital was not operational for a long time due to shortage of staff and equipment and now I assure the people of Rawalpindi that this hospital would operate in full strength".
He said that the CGH would not only serve the quake affectees but will also serve people of area in future.
Shaukat Aziz said the government's first and foremost priority after October 8th devastating earthquake was the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the victims and the affected areas. But, he added, that his government was not negligent about its duties towards rest of the nation.
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