Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a meeting, reviewed the progress made in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-affected infrastructure. He directed his team to expedite the ongoing works and pursue donors for funding where it is still pending. The meeting, held at CM House on Thursday, was attended by Chief Secretary Dr. Fakhre Alam, Chairman P&D Sahkil Ahmed Mangejo, PSCM Agha Wasif Abbas, Secretary School Education Dr. Shireen Narejo, Secretary Health Dr. Mansoor, Secretary Irrigation Niaz Ahmed Abbasi, Secretary Works Mohammad Nawaz Sohoo, CEO Peoples Housing Khalid Shaikh, and other concerned officers.
Regarding schools, Secretary School Education Dr. Shireen Narejo briefed the CM, stating that 19,808 schools were damaged by the floods in 2022, with 7,503 of them needing full reconstruction. Out of the 7,503 fully damaged school buildings, construction of 2020 was committed by friendly countries like the European Union, China, and donor agencies ADB, Federal PSDP, and Provincial ADP for Rs 60.972 billion. The Sindh government has started construction of 431 schools for Rs 4.428 billion, but the funds committed by friendly countries and donor agencies were in the pipeline. Some projects are in the approval phase. The CM directed the Chairman P&D to get approval for the projects from CDWP and other agencies and then pursue the release of funds. The CM also directed the P&D department to prepare a plan to reconstruct the remaining 5483 fully damaged schools.
In health, Secretary Health Dr. Mansoor Rizvi informed the CM about the 1000 Days – Integrated Health and Population Program, which has been initiated for Rs61,600 million ($280 m) with the assistance of the World Bank and IsDB, with a Sindh government share of $30 million. The project aims to refurbish 392 dispensaries, including equipment provision, and reconstruct 121 Basic Health Units (BHUs), 97 Rural Healthcare Centers (RHCs), and 39 Taluka Headquarters (THQ) Hospitals that have been completely damaged. Additionally, the project will establish hospital-based blood banks at four DHQ hospitals in Kashmore-Kandhkot, Sujawal, Tando Allahyar, and Tando Mohammad Khan, which will be linked with Regional Blood Centers. Moreover, the project will establish diagnostic laboratories at 39 THQ hospitals, 10-bed nurseries at 39 THQ hospitals, and strengthen operation theaters at 39 THQ hospitals. As part of the project, four Regional Training Institutes (RTIs), six Public Health Schools, and schools damaged during floods will be repaired and rehabilitated. Additionally, the project aims to provide micro-financing and skill development opportunities to 6,000 women and strengthen the local healthcare system by placing 1,176 community medical workers, 1,960 community health workers, and 392 family welfare workers. A total of 16 District Headquarters Hospitals (DHQs) and 392 General Dispensaries (GDs) will be operational. Furthermore, a proper training program will be developed for healthcare providers. Progress shared included a signed MoU between PPHI and the Program for the operationalization of 50 dispensaries under PPHI Management, along with the issuance of contract awards for the procurement of 60 ambulances, 30 mobile medical vans, and five mobile laboratories, including fabrication. The draft Terms of Reference (TORs) for a third-party Consultancy firm for skill development through Vocational Training of 6,000 eligible women have been submitted to the Islamic Development Bank for approval.
In the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project (SERP), Secretary Works & Services Mohammad Nawaz Sohoo informed the chief minister that work on 131 roads located in 19 districts with a length of 680 km had been started, with their physical progress ranging from 35 to 54 per cent. Mr. Shah directed the works department to speed up work so that it could be completed within the stipulated time. The CM directed other departments to prepare the progress of the flood-affected works for review as soon as possible.
