In a meeting with Sindh Chief Secretary Aslam Sanjrani the WB representative Benjamin Loevinsohn on Monday said that the Bank would assist Sindh government in increasing Aids diagnosis and treatment Centres from eight to ten in Karachi, and in setting up more than 100 centres for the drug addicts' rehabilitation.
The WB representative said that these centres would provide diagnosis and treatment to Aids patients and to those who had been suffering from drug-related diseases. He said that along with provision of examination provisions there would be arrangement for the training of medical and paramedical personnel.
Benjamin said that a survey would be conducted to assess the population of addicts and the use of different kinds of narcotics. He said the survey would enable the health workers in finding out ways and means to carryout awareness programmes for the addicts and other community and opinion leaders.
The chief secretary stressed the need to adopt strategic line of action to prepare a comprehensive representation ensuring active and effective participation of all relevant stakeholders, including concerned NGOs.
Additional Secretary Health Iqbal Dewan and Programme Officer Sharf Ali Shah were also present at the meeting.