A Letter of Understanding (LoU) was signed by between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department and Child Life Foundation to establish pediatric emergency and telemedicine centers in the province. KP Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah and CEO CEO Child Life Foundation, Ahsan Rabbani signed the LoU during a ceremony attended by Secretary Health Adil Shah, DG Health Dr. Muhammad Saleem, Additional Director Generals, Director Public Health, Irshad Roghani and other relevant officials. Talking to media persons on the occasion, Syed Qasim Ali Shah said that this initiative will establish pediatric emergency and telemedicine centers in all districts of the province, which will be operational from tonight. He further stated that pediatric emergencies will be established in hospitals across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where pediatric specialists will be deployed. Through telemedicine centers, expert doctors will be available to provide treatment to children from any corner of the province through video link.

Qasim Ali Shah said that the children of the province deserve standard treatment and every possible step was being taken to achieve this goal. Load of child patients in KP was much more than other provinces because of presence of Afghan refugees, he added. He said that the initiative will not only benefit patients of KP but also of Afghanistan who arrive here in drove on daily basis. CEO Child Life Foundation, Ahsan Rabani was of the view that this initiative will provide timely treatment facilities to children. In any complicated case, pediatric experts from across Pakistan will be available to provide expert opinion on call. This initiative will significantly reduce the mortality rate of children. The telemedicine setup will start functioning in all hospitals from tonight, he reiterated. FCPS pediatricians will be available 24/7 to provide guidance on treatment. Ahsan Rabani said Child Life Foundation has working experience of around 14 years and provision of its services in KP will help in reducing child mortality by providing timely treatment in cases of emergency.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan