Health minister assures GI for Sindh working journalists
* Says provincial health insurance policy is in its final phase and provision to include journalists too can be incorporated into it
KARACHI: Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed has assured ‘Group Insurance (GI) provision’ for working journalists in the province.
Addressing members of the Karachi Press Club (KPC), during the inaugural ceremony of KPC Clinic here on Monday, he said the provincial health insurance policy is in its final phase and provision to include journalists too can be incorporated into it.
Dr Ahmed said the KPC Clinic, a joint effort of Association of Health Journalists (AAHJP) and KPC in close coordination with Sindh Health Department, would continue to be supported by the government.
“This clinic will be a permanent feature and with the passage of time its expansion would also be ensured as per suggestion of KPC president Tahir Hasan Khan,” he said.
The minister also assured that as recommended by a KPC member the provincial health department would see that an ambulance is also provided to the KPC Clinic.
Dr Ahmed at the onset of his speech said the ministership is never permanent, however, no section of society can ignore the importance of journalist community.
“This is all the more important because the journalists while keen to highlight the plight of masses and marginalised sections rarely pay attention towards their own problems,” he said.
The minister, also a member of the MQM Coordination Committee, said his party leadership as well as other political parties are keen to address the needs of all sections of the society and do appreciate the contribution made by media in this regard.
Sindh Health Secretary Syed Hashim Raza, talking to journalists, said the KPC Clinic would soon be turned into a permanent project of the provincial health department. “It would not only be improved and updated on regular basis but a permanent post for the doctor serving there will be created,” he said.
KPC president Tahir Hasan Khan on the occasion said the club had the highest number of journalists as its members and the figure comes to 1,400. He appreciated and thanked the health department for taking the initiative and establishing a clinic for the journalists and their respective family members.
The KPC president hoped that the clinic, with the passage of time would be expanded and continues to benefit the target group.
AHJP president Shabana Shafiq said the association made its efforts for the benefit of the entire journalist community and is committed to rise above group differences and affiliations.
KPC secretary Moosa Kaleem said the present governing body of the club had included provision for Clinic among its priorities, however, it was with the cooperation of AHJP that the project could be expedited and support of the health department helped to get it materialised.
AHJP Secretary Siraj Amjadi sought support of the health department for establishing of similar clinics at all press clubs in the province. This, he said, should be adopted as a full-fledged project of the government further complemented by group insurance coverage for all working journalists in the province.
Senior journalist and AHJP member Akhter Mir was the moderator on the occasion.
Secretary, KPC Health Committee and Member KPC Governing Body Ghazala Fasih offered vote of thanks.
Later the minister inaugurated the KPC Clinic, equipped with necessary diagnostic facilities and manned by a qualified doctor provided by the provincial health department on detailment.
Source: Daily Times
Date:5/17/2011
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