A three-day `Health & Nutrition Festival' aimed at creating awareness among people of famine-hit Tharparkar district about importance of nutrition, vaccination and family planning began here on Wednesday under the aegis of Sindh health department. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who was scheduled to inaugurate the festival, could not make it reportedly due to his preoccupation.
In his absence, the festival was inaugurated by Sindh Health Minister Jam Mehtab Dehar. Others present on the occasion included members of civil society, representatives of donor agencies and officials of the provincial health department.
Though the first day of the festival did not attract an impressive number of villagers, organisers are hopeful that more and more people will attend it in the next two days. The festival being held at Mithi's Shaheed Benazir Cultural Complex would continue till March 10.
More than 30 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have set up stalls and medical camps at the festival where doctors and paramedical staff were seen providing free treatment facilities to hundreds of people belonging to Mithi and its adjoining areas.
Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Health Minister Jam Mehtab hoped that civil society, philanthropists and donor agencies will extend their support to Sindh government for providing best possible healthcare facilities to the inhabitants of Tharparkar as the district had long been in news following hundreds of children had died reportedly due to malnutrition and lack of basic health facilities.
The minister said that Sindh government in collaboration with international and national organisations was making efforts to improve overall health situation of Tharparkar district.
He said efforts are under way to extend health facilities at union council (UC) level across the province. "We are fully prepared to provide better healthcare facilities in every nook and corner of the province," he added.
Provincial secretary health Iftilkhar Shilwani, Dr Khalid Shaikh, MPAs Mahesh Kumar Millnai and Khairnussa and other officials were also present on the occasion.