Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Tuesday had a meeting with Consul General of USA Michael Dodman and Regional Director USAID Edward Brigells at Chief Minister House. The meeting was also attended by Principal Secretary to CM Muhammad Siddique Memon, Secretary Health Sindh Aftab Ahmed Khatri, Special Secretary (P&D) Dr Noorul Haq and others.
The Chief Minister stressed that there was need of assistance in health and education sectors and particularly in Jacobabad and other areas of upper Sindh, and said there was more need of healthcare for neglected people, adding besides, there was also need of libraries in many towns of the province.
The USA Consul General informed that USAID intended to establish a modern hospital with all essential facilities at Jacobabad. The said hospital would be having all facilities, including OPD blocks, admissions indoor blocks which would be later enhanced to the level of teaching hospital, he added.
The US Consul General also informed that the project would be completed within one year, while libraries would be constructed in various towns of Sindh and in first phase, three libraries were being established at Hyderabad, Khairpur and Larkana. Michael Dodman further informed that in collaboration of Sindh Culture Department, English language learning centres had been established in major cities of Sindh and 1,500 students had alone been trained in Karachi and 700 students had been imparted English learning at Hyderabad.
The CM emphasised the need that formalities were to be completed and matter would be presented in Sindh Provincial Assembly under the law. He also stressed that USAID might initiate Teachers Training Programme under latest and modern training methods so as to improve standard of education and quality literacy procedures.
The CM said the MoU would be signed by USAID and Sindh Government while Secretary Health and Special Secretary (P&D) would prepare PC-I and other formalities for signing MoU. It was informed that initially one billion rupees would be spent on hospital of Jacobabad. He welcomed and appreciated the efforts of USAID, and hoped that more projects aimed at health, education sectors would be enhanced for the people of Sindh.-PR