KARACHI: On Tuesday, after provincial authorities ruled out any hope of restoring control of Karachi’s three main health facilities to Islamabad, the already tense relationship between the centre and Sindh further soured.
Sindh government spokesman Barrister Murtaza Wahab articulated the resolution during a press conference when he specifically rejected any agreement on the administrative oversight of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) and the National Institute of Child Health (NICH).
The Federal Medical Teaching Institutes Ordinance Calendar, 2020, has been applied to the three main health facilities, a development that is seen as the federal government’s first step in taking over management of JPMC, NICH and NICVD.
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In response to a question about what the Sindh government will do about Islamabad’s drive, the NICVD and two other hospitals do not belong to anybody,” he said.” These three hospitals have treated patients from across Pakistan and served the public with openness free of charge. These three hospitals are going to be with us.’
Recently, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination issued a notice adding four health facilities, three of them situated in Karachi and one in Lahore, to the Schedule of Federal Medical Teaching Institutes Ordinance, 2020.
Karachi’s JPMC, NICVD, NICH and Sheikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute of Lahore are such institutions (SZPMI).
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Interestingly, the Sindh health department, a big stakeholder who has been demanding administrative power over the three Karachi hospitals for a decade, is not identified with the notification dated January 7, 2021.
Draft law declares use of ‘ice’ a crime
Barrister Wahab, meanwhile, shared sketchy information concerning two proposed legislation relating to the 2012 Succession Bill and the Drugs Bill.
“The Standing Committee on Law approved the Succession Bill at today’s meeting, including the 2012 Amendment Bill on Drugs,” he said. Similarly, it has been deemed a felony to make and consume illegal substances, including cocaine and ice. No matter how strong a person is, he will not be released if he is found involved with drugs. For the cultivation, use and supply of narcotics such as cocaine and ice, there would be serious fines. Moreover, the government must be embraced by the people so that we can protect our future children free from the ill effects of medications.
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He said that the Sindh Assembly, unlike the federation, was carrying out its constitutional function and the National Database and Registration Authority would soon obtain death certificates, which would be completed in the shortest possible period.
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