KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met with a high-level delegation from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), led by Regional Director Dr. Walid Abdelwahab, to discuss the progress of vital development projects focused on flood recovery and health services.
The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s residence, included senior officials such as Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and Health Secretary Rehan Baloch. The IsDB delegation comprised Country Manager Ishtiaq Akbar and Pakistan Representative Muhammad Alio Yazdai.
The discussion centered on the Sindh Flood Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project (SFEHRP) and the Sindh Integrated Health and Women Empowerment Project. Both initiatives involve collaboration with the World Bank to enhance infrastructure and health services in the province.
The IsDB is providing $200 million for the reconstruction of homes for flood-affected individuals. Mr. Shah highlighted the government’s efforts, in collaboration with international partners and NGOs, to implement Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) projects aimed at improving public health in affected communities. In response, the IsDB pledged additional support for these initiatives.
The Chief Minister detailed the progress of housing reconstruction, noting significant disbursements to beneficiaries for rebuilding efforts. The multi-phase instalment plan has provided financial assistance to thousands of affected households, facilitating the construction of resilient housing units.
The Sindh Integrated Health and Women Empowerment Project, with a total budget of $280 million, aims to improve healthcare services for vulnerable populations, including women and adolescents. The project is supported by $50 million from the IsDB, $30 million from the Sindh government, and $200 million from foreign funds.
Murad Shah emphasized the project’s goal of enhancing the quality and accessibility of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) services. Efforts are underway to hire a third-party firm to oversee skill development for 6,000 women as part of the initiative.
The project also includes the rehabilitation and upgrading of 124 government dispensaries and six Public Health Schools, with initial surveys and assessments completed. These efforts aim to bolster the province’s healthcare infrastructure, addressing both immediate and long-term needs in the wake of recent natural disasters.