Governor praises generous support of UNHCR in provision of basic facilities and necessities in different sectors
Independent Report
QUETTA : The Governor Balochistan, Jaffar Khan Mandokhail has praised the generous support of UNHCR in the province, stating that the UN organization has always extended wholehearted assistance in provision of basic facilities and necessities in sectors such as health and education.
This support has equally benefited both Afghan refugees and the local community.
The Governor expressed special gratitude to UNHCR for transitioning major health centers in Quetta-including Civil Sandeman Hospital, BMC Hospital, Benazir Hospital, and Fatima Jinnah Sanatorium-from conventional electricity to modern solar power systems.
He noted that solarizing these major health facilities in Quetta will reduce costs, ensure uninterrupted power supply, and enable savings to be utilized for other important projects.
He was speaking to a UNHCR delegation led by the organization’s Country Director in Pakistan, Ms. Philippa Candler, during a meeting at the Governor House in Quetta on Tuesday.
The UNHCR’s provincial head and the Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Arbab Talib, were also present at the meeting.
On the occasion, Governor Mandokhail said that extremely impoverished people live on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where there is a severe lack of basic facilities and especially a high maternal and infant mortality rate. In view of this situation, he proposed the establishment of modern hospitals equipped with advanced medical equipment in the border towns of Chaman and Zhob. This would help provide essential healthcare services to the poor populations living near the border. The establishment of these hospitals could also reduce the burden on hospitals in Quetta.
He added that providing all necessary facilities to Balochistan’s small but scattered population is a major challenge for the government. Therefore, all international organizations should utilize all available resources to assist and support the impoverished and underprivileged people of Balochistan by ensuring access to basic healthcare, education, and clean drinking water.
