Key medical unit in quake zone needs financial help

17 May, 2006

Immediate financial assistance is required to keep a key pediatric unit running at the main hospital in the quake-hit Battagram district of NWFP, said Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA) officials on Tuesday.
Since October 8 earthquake, the unit has treated more than 10,000 children.
The unit is in the frontline of child medical care in the region and has dealt with thousands of young victims of the earthquake.
Dr Shabbir Ahmed, head of child health in Battagram said, "We need to run this unit at least for another three months until a Japanese-funded transitional hospital is completed".
He said existing agreement with the UN Children's Fund (Unicef) expires in two days and added that if the unit has to be closed, the children of the whole region will be affected.
Following an announcement by government that relief operations in the quake hit zone would cease by March 31, local and international medical missions have been pulling out of the blighted region, leaving a huge gap in health facilities.
Pakistan Pediatric Association spokesman, Dr Gohar Rehman said, "We have spoken to all related agencies, including Unicef, WHO and a couple of international NGOs, but none have been able to provide funding to run the pediatric ward".
Rehman noted that the nearest alternative medical facilities for children were four hours' drive away.
Dr Rehman said, "Currently, we have 30 staff including 10 paediatricians and an equal number of health visitors, but beyond May 17, we don't have funds to support our operation here".

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