KARACHI, Pakistan: Sindh government is fast implementing the agreements signed with reputable Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to run its selected health care facilities and services under Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach.
Senior officials of the department talking to media on Wednesday said Public Private Partnership Contracts in Health was conceived, with the motive to provide people of the province with improved and timely health delivery services.
Tenders for the scheme were said issued in December 2013 under which Expression of Interest (EoI) were called by interested parties comprising well reputed non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
“About 30 well reputed NGOs responded to this announcement,” said the officials mentioning that Request for Proposals (RFPs) were issued to 12 interested partners, of which five NGOs were finalized.
Four NGOs were offered to maintain, improve and run health facilities while fifth one was responsible to run community ambulance services ideally to reach on the spot in 15 to 20 minutes.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), they said was performance based and concerned NGOs had to fulfill 75 various indicators with results applicable from second year of this agreement.
More than 15 health facilities including Rural Health Centres (RHCs), Taluka Headquarters (THQ) and District Headquarters (DHQ) hospitals in Thatta and Sajawal districts were agreed to be handed over to Merlin International.
RHCs of all districts excluding to those run by PPHI are to be taken care of by Integrated Health Services (HIS) and this will start from Larkana.
DHQ Badin is being given to Indus Hospital while more than 23 health facilities in Bin Qasim and Gadap Towns of Karachi are to be handed over to Health and Nutrition Development Society (HANDS).
Aman Foundation has been awarded the mandate to run community ambulance services initially in Thatta and Sajawal districts.
“In these districts, ambulance will reach on spot in 15 to 20 minutes of information,” said the officials.
They reiterated that due care has been taken to safeguard the rights of patients visiting more than 60 selected healthcare facilities scattered across the province.
In reply to a question, they said Rs 500 million have been allocated by the government to improve the working of the cited facilities.
Source: APP