The Secretary who had previously served as the Medical Superintendent of Lyari General Hospital and Civil Hospital respectively, minced no words in reminding that major emphasis had been paid on construction of buildings and procurement of expensive equipment but not on basic health care and prevention programmes.
Due to this drawback injections were administered on one hourly to eight hourly basis to patients under varied pretext with almost non-existent provision for needle cutters or auto destructive syringes, latter considered an expensive option for the government facilities.
The Health Secretary conformed with speakers that the indifference is leading towards growing susceptibility of large number of locals including patients as well as health care providers to wide range of blood borne diseases particularly Hepatitis B and C followed by HIV.
Professor Naushad Sheikh said the government as well he himself in the capacity of health Secretary is attempting to address the situation through decentralisation of authority.
District Health Officers as well as medical superintendents are being authorised to make appropriate use of available funds in accordance to very need of their areas of jurisdiction.
'Sindh Health Department is self-sufficient in funds and is trying to make rules and regulation for their adequate application in accordance to genuine and prioritised public needs,' he elaborated.
The Health Secretary also hinted inception of a mechanism holding accountable executors of government sponsored health rare projects as well as disease prevention programmes.
With regard to irrational use of injections on part of BPs as well as quacks practising in rural sector and urban slums he said concerted efforts are required to contain the trend.
While appreciating PM for sensitising the GPs about the hazards of unwanted injections through series of symposiums and workshops, he said government is in process of formulating a law to combat the menace of quackery.
He on the occasion also mentioned that Sindh Health Department would be announcing Provincial Health on the lines of National Health Policy by next week with focus on reorganising the medico - legal system - making it transparent and checking the reported element of corruption.
Professor Naushad Sheikh also referred to measures being adopted to strengthen and implement anti-quackery law besides required modifications in the existent Sindh Safe Blood Transfusion Act plugging all possible loop holes which may be providing faulty blood banks chances to avoid legal action.
He on the occasion particularly warned medical professionals including dentists to be extremely cautious ensuring that disease transmission is avoided at all costs.
Responding to presentation made by Dr Tahira Raza revealing that barber community is also among high group to contract and transmit blood borne infections, he underscored need for necessary awareness programmes and strategy to modify their professional approach with emphasis on sterilisation of their tools.
Earlier, Professor Dur-e-Sameen Akram recommended Action Beyond Advocacy Approach with major emphasis on legislation and health education f or school going children.