Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho ordered strict action against illegal labs and unlicensed blood banks amid Nawabshah AIDS outbreak.
By Imtiaz Hussain
SHAHEED BENAZIRABAD: Provincial Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho voiced serious concern over the recent outbreak of AIDS in Nawabshah, criticising authorities for failing to take effective action against illegal laboratories and unlicensed blood banks. She chaired a high-level meeting on health issues at the Darbar Hall of the DC Office, emphasising the need for immediate intervention to protect public health.
During the session, Dr Pechuho sharply criticised the Sindh Health Care Commission and Health Department officials for their poor performance and instructed district administration and health authorities to strengthen oversight of medical facilities. She directed a large-scale crackdown against illegal laboratories, unauthorised medical centres, canola centres, blood banks, and surgical stores operating in the district. “Quack doctors and operators of unlicensed facilities will not be allowed to jeopardise public health under any circumstances,” she warned.
The minister also highlighted the urgent need to address rising cases of malaria and AIDS, underlining that providing quality healthcare remained the Sindh government’s top priority. She made it clear that officers demonstrating poor performance would face strict accountability measures.
District Health Officer Dr Mudassir Hussain and officials working on HIV/AIDS briefed Dr Pechuho on the current situation, providing data on infection rates and identifying high-risk areas. The meeting was attended by Director of the Sindh Health Care Commission Dr Zubair, Deputy Commissioner Shaheed Benazirabad Abdul Samad Nizamani, SSP Shabbir Ahmed Sethar, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Gulshan Memon, MS Dr Yar Ali Jamali, Information Officer Sher Muhammad Jamali, and other departmental officials.
Dr Pechuho emphasised that timely action and coordinated efforts between health authorities, law enforcement, and administrative officials were essential to halt the spread of disease and safeguard the health of Nawabshah’s residents.
