WHO hands over 12 BHUs prefabricated structures to NWFP

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially handed over 12 pre-fabricated structures of Basic Health Units (BHUs) to the NWFP health department for the earthquake-affected districts of Mansehra and Battagram.
Dr Khalif Bile Mohamud, WR Pakistan, handed over these structures to Abdus Samad Khan, NEFP health secretary during a one-day workshop, arranged by WHO in collaboration with the provincial health department at the Ayub Medical Collage, Abbottabad. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed in this regard on the occasion.
The workshop aimed at orientation of the authorities and the health staff on the implementation of essential package of Primary Health Care through Basic Health Units, management of the essential drugs at BHUs level and Integration of Disease Early Warning System to make it operational in the recovery phase.
NWFP Health Secretary Abdus Samad Khan was the chief guest on the occasion.
The participants of the workshop were Professor Dr Jafar Khan, chief executive, Ayub Medical Complex, Professor Dr Muhammad Ayub, principal, Ayub Medical Collage, Dr Muhammad Zaheen, deputy director, Public Health DGHS, Dr M. Saeed Akbar Khan, WHO Operations Officer NWFP, Dr Myint Mint Sein, Team Leader WHO Mansehra, EDOs (H) of affected districts and representatives from UNFPA, Unicef and print-media.
Abdus Samad Khan appreciated the support of WR WHO for revitalisation of PHC activities by provision of pre-fabricated structures in the earthquake-affected districts, saying the manpower would be recruited from the local market on contract basis; the NWFP government had created 80 vacancies in the BHUs, which would be filled shortly.
He announced packages for the health staff serving in the nine marginalised districts of NWFP, the specialist working these districts would be given additional benefits of Rs 20,000, doctors would be paid Rs 12,000 and other health staff would be paid Rs 8,000 in addition to their salaries.
The government had already started short and long-term plans for the revival of Primary Health Care system in the earthquake-affected areas, work has already been started in collaboration with donor agencies, he added.
He directed the EDOs (H) to detail staff from other health facilities to the prefab BHUs to make it operational. He thanked WHO for provision of prefab structures and vehicles.
Dr Bile said that Tuesday is the day for revival of PHC in the disaster-affected areas; it was achieved by the commitment of the department of health co-ordination of the partners, adding the WHO has established 35 prefabs structures in AJK and NWFP, and provided equipment and medical supplies for a period of three months.
All the pre-fabricated units are equipped with the latest machinery, furniture, and an ambulance along with three months stock of medicines. The ambulances could be used for other BHUs of the area to facilitate more people, it should be maintained by the district health management team.