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Sindh lawmakers worry over sale of spurious drugs

By Razzak Abro

KARACHI: Taking notice of different points of order raised by legislators related to health issues on Thursday, Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has directed the Assembly Secretariat to forward the MPAs’ concern to the related authorities of the government.

The speaker issued these directives on a request made by PPP member Anwar Maher during the Sindh Assembly session. Provincial Health Minister Dr Saghir Ahmed was not present in the house and no other minister gave an official statement on his behalf in response to the serious health issues.

PPP MPA Kulsoom Chandio drew the chair’s attention towards spurious and substandard drugs being sold at medical stores. She demanded the government to take action against those involved in the menace, as they are playing with the lives of people.

Supporting her point the speaker said that the sale of substandard medicines was an issue prevalent in several towns of the province. He referred to a report that talcum was used to make medicine. ANP’s Amanullah Mahsud pointed to a report that said that a man was given an animal injection at a government health centre in Landhi.

PPP’s Mir Hassan Khoso said that fake injections for Hepatitis-C are being sold in Jacobabad.

Provincial Minister for Works and Services Manzoor Wasan said that prominent classical and Sufi singer Sohrab Faqir has been admitted to a local hospital and is in a critical condition. He said that doctors have diagnosed lung cancer, and he should be sent abroad for treatment.

Wasan suggested that the house pass a collective recommendation for his treatment. The speaker, however, objected to the proposal and said that the government will initiate the treatment process itself even without the House’s recommendation. The minister then said that the federal government could be asked for providing funds in this regard.

Opposition’s Arif Mustafa Jatoi complained about the non-availability of updated copies of the 1973 Constitution. Provincial Minister for Industries Rauf Siddiqui informed the House that an artisan colony has been developed in Mithi for promoting local handicrafts and protect Sindh’s culture. He said that the government has planned to establish similar colonies in Hala and Dadu.

Public Accounts Committee Chairman Jam Tamachi Unnar raised the issue of closed and non-operational schools in the province. Provincial Education Minister Pir Mazhar replied that the World Bank has provided funds for the project, and district governments are making arrangements.

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