SHAHEED BENAZIRABAD (May 23): The World Bank has commended Sindh’s initiatives to enhance healthcare access and quality, particularly in rural areas, following a high-level visit to a Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Shaheed Benazirabad.A delegation led by Md Ana Bejirede, Managing Director for Operations, and Naji Bin Yamin, Country Director, joined Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari to evaluate the services and infrastructure at BHU Jam Sahib, interacting with medical professionals and patients.
During the visit, the Chief Minister and the World Bank team toured the Basic Health Unit (BHU) Jam Sahib, where they engaged with health workers and patients to gain firsthand insight into the healthcare services being provided.Minister of Health and CEO of PPHI, Javed Jageerani, provided an extensive briefing on the performance and services of various departments within the BHU.The briefing revealed that BHU Jam Sahib serves approximately 20,310 patients monthly, with the Outpatient Department (OPD) seeing 5,471 patients each month—162 per cent above the targeted figure. Family planning services have exceeded their goals by 125 per cent, while the contraceptive services department has achieved 71 per cent of its monthly target. Maternity services reached 95% of their performance targets, and antenatal care, including first trimester check-ups, surpassed expectations with 101% achievement.The BHU also conducts essential pregnancy-related tests, provides nutritional advice, manages iron deficiency, administers immunisations, and regularly screens for complications. The re-assessment of pregnancies showed an impressive 123% average performance.Nutritional screening efforts at UFIO targeted 1,140 individuals to prevent malnutrition and ensure timely treatment. Alarmingly, 29 children were identified with severe malnutrition, a figure that exceeded expectations and raised concerns. Despite this, the BHU’s initiatives to combat severe malnutrition slightly surpassed the set targets by one per cent.
The Chief Minister expressed his satisfaction with the services and facilities across various departments. The World Bank delegation conducted a thorough assessment of the BHU’s infrastructure, including its eight-room building, and found it generally satisfactory. They noted the good condition of the external walls and roof, the functional drinking water supply, and electricity systems, which are crucial for uninterrupted healthcare services. Additionally, the solarised power system, CCTV surveillance, and biometric attendance system were all operational.The availability of functional toilets for both staff and the public, as well as mobile and internet connectivity, was also acknowledged as vital in today’s context.
Overall, the World Bank delegation was briefed on the quality of human resources and basic facilities, which they found to be of a good standard. The various departments of BHU Shaheed Benazirabad were reported to have active and usable facilities, making the institution a reliable healthcare provider for the local community.
Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah praised the BHU, describing it as an excellent medical institution that provides quality health services to the people of Shaheed Benazirabad. He expressed his satisfaction with the presence of modern medical equipment and the availability of experienced doctors and nurses at the hospital. He concluded by affirming that BHU Shaheed Benazirabad is proving to be a trustworthy and effective healthcare institution serving the community’s needs.
