PESHAWAR: The World Health Organisation on Tuesday donated essential medicines and equipment to the health department to help patients requiring emergency care in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

WHO’s representative in Pakistan, Dr Loduping, met with health adviser Ihtesham Ali to discuss various public health matters. During the meeting, he donated medicines and medical equipment worth Rs70 million to the health department on behalf of WHO, according to a statement issued here.

These medicines and medical supplies have been provided to handle emergency situations and to improve healthcare services in the province. The donated equipment includes ultrasound, X-Ray and PCR machines, and other essential medical devices.

Mr Ali expressed gratitude to WHO and Dr Loduping for the donation, acknowledging the world health agency’s consistent support for the province, especially during health emergencies. He urged WHO to continue assisting in strengthening primary healthcare and immunisation programmes in the province.

He further emphasised that uninterrupted healthcare services in remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa required continued support from WHO.

Dr Loduping said that he was well aware of the health challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also highlighted that changes in global financial policies had impacted WHO as well, but Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained a priority for the organisation.

WHO’s head reaffirmed his organisation’s commitment to working with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department to control the dengue outbreak and support other public health initiatives as well.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2025