As many as 300 new family welfare centres will be established in the province for the provision of basic maternal and child health care facilities to the maximum people at their doorsteps.
This was said by Punjab Population Welfare Minister, Neelam Jabbar while addressing a delegation of lady health workers and LHVs who called her at her office here on Tuesday. She said that the Prime Minister's basic healthcare programme initiated by Benazir Bhutto would further be expanded to benefit majority of the people.
These centres, as well as LHWs and LHVs, play a vital role in the health education of the rural population and form the backbone of our healthcare system, she said adding, the government will provide them continuous opportunities to upgrade their medical education and training, besides enhancing their pay package. She said the government has also launched a programme to establish community midwifery homes in far-flung areas of the province to provide basic health facilities to mother and child and minimise the maternal and neonatal mortality during childbirth.
The minister said that women would be empowered in all sectors of national life, with increased employment opportunities in government, semi-government and private organisations, so that they can play their due role in the development of the country.
She said family welfare centres would be established in villages comprising five to seven thousand population. The department will appoint trained staff at the centres, where provision of necessary medicines and treatment facilities will be assured by the government, she said.