Bilal Colony dispensary upgraded for family planning


IV Report

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Health Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho on September 9 inaugurated a renovated urban dispensary in Bilal Colony, Korangi, which the provincial government aims to transform into a centre providing both primary healthcare and family planning services under an initiative of Green Social Marketing (GSM).

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Pechuho said the government remained committed to ensuring that women, mothers, and children had access to quality healthcare and reproductive health services. “Upgrading facilities like Bilal Colony is a vital step toward universal health coverage and healthier communities,” she observed.

The ceremony was also addressed by GSM Chief Executive Officer Dr Syed Azizur Rab, who noted that the dispensary upgrade formed part of a wider transformation plan supported by The Challenge Initiative (TCI) of GSM. “More than 50 health and population facilities across Sindh are being improved under this programme. The Bilal Colony facility, previously among the most underprivileged, has now been renovated and upgraded,” he said.

He added that the collaboration with the Sindh government would help establish sustainable service delivery models to strengthen health systems and expand access to family planning for underserved populations.

According to a government official, the Bilal Colony dispensary is the first of the 50 facilities proposed under the TCI umbrella. It will provide a dedicated outpatient department, round-the-clock essential healthcare, antenatal and postnatal care, family planning counselling and services, a routine immunisation point, and a functional pharmacy.

In addition, a statement said GSM was working closely with the Sindh Health Department and Population Welfare Department to institutionalise sustainable approaches to family planning service delivery. “Through hands-on coaching, capacity building, and system strengthening, GSM provides technical assistance to enable government institutions to integrate family planning into essential healthcare services,” it added.

The inauguration was also attended by Dr Saqib Shaikh, Director Health, Karachi Division; Dr Muhammad Shah, District Health Officer, Korangi; and Ghazunfer Abbas, Chief of Party, TCI.

-- Official Photos 

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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