On the direction of Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, it has been decided to establish rehabilitation centres for disabled persons at divisional level in the province. Three centres at Sargodha, Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur would be set up during the current fiscal year on which Rs 100 million would be spent. In this project, International Council for Red Crescent (ICRC), Chal Foundation and Indus Karachi would extend cooperation to the Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education Department.
It was stated by the Secretary Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education Department Najam Ahmed Shah while presiding over a meeting regarding establishment of rehabilitation centres, in his office, here today. Additional Secretary Development Zaheer Abbas Malik, Chief Operating Officer Chal Foundation Dr Bakht Sarwar, Head of delegation ICRC Reto Stocker and other concerned officers of the department also attended the meeting.
It was informed that land has been identified for three rehabilitation centres at Bahawalpur, Sargodha and Rawalpindi. Secretary SH&ME directed that the process of transfer and possession of land should immediately be completed with the help of Commissioners and DCOs of the concerned divisions.
Moreover, Rs 90.00 million would be annual recurring expenditure for the provision of artificial limbs to the disabled persons and their rehabilitation. CEO Chal Foundation Dr Bakht Sarwar revealed that 4,500 patients would get benefit from these rehabilitation centres.