A high-level meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Fata reviewed various steps for eradication of polio from Fata, early start of construction work on the site of Fata University. Various schemes in health, education and road sectors were also approved for ensuring rapid development of the tribal areas.
According to Fata Information Directorate, on the special instructions of the Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, a meeting was convened at Fata Secretariat on Monday which reviewed various issues pertaining to Fata. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Tashfeen Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Fata said that promotion of education and provision of improved health services to the tribal communities are the top priority areas for the government.
He informed the meeting that the Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhawa has issued instructions for taking extraordinary measures to eradicate polio from tribal areas. For the purpose, all the Political Agents have been directed to sensitize public regarding the importance of polio vaccination to their children so that this challenge is addressed on war-footing.
He added that due to remote locations and less road networks in Fata, the government has started mobile health unit project to extend health facilities to people at their doorsteps.
He said in order to further strengthen the mobile health system inclusion of the programme in the Annual Developmental Programme is under consideration. This will ensure maximum health coverage of the entire Fata areas which will improve the health service delivery system in Fata.
On the occasion the meeting was briefed about the proposed FATA University project. The Additional Chief Secretary informed the meeting that the Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhawa has directed that construction work on the site shall start quickly and dedicated faculty staff including the vice chancellor be appointed for making the Fata University an international standard institution. The meeting was informed that initially the university will consist of five campus offering five subjects to the students.
The meeting reviewed and stressed the early completion of various ongoing projects and approved several new developmental schemes including provision of oxygen and setting up of solar energy powered cold storage facility for preservation of vaccines in three Agency HQs hospital of Fata.
A number of new schemes in roads sector for Mohmand Agency including construction of road from Ghalani to Gandhab was also approved which will ensure smooth and swift communication facilities to local communities. The meeting was attended by Shakil Qadir Khan, Secretary P&D Fata and other senior officers of health and education departments.