Sindh govt sets up nearly 10 Down syndrome centres in Hyderabad: Murad

Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah on Thursday said that the provincial government had established nearly 10 Down syndrome centres in Hyderabad, following Karachi.

Speaking in Hyderabad, Shah said that the Hyderabad centre reflected the government’s commitment to the cause, adding that the project, assigned in July, was completed and inaugurated two months ahead of schedule through the collective efforts of the team involved.

The chief minister also mentioned that he had assigned a new task to his team to establish a similar centre in Sukkur, aiming to extend such facilities to all divisional headquarters in Sindh.

He added that the government was also working on plans to develop a modern city spanning 70 to 75 acres, dedicated to children with Down syndrome, where they would be provided with facilities, a supportive environment, and opportunities.

“We will demonstrate by turning this city into an exemplary and modern Down Syndrome City for the world,” he said.

Earlier, Shah also visited Karachi’s University Road, accompanied by the Mayor Murtaza Wahab, where he took a detailed review of the BRT project on University Road and other ongoing development works, while FWO officials also provided a briefing regarding the project’s pace, quality, and completion.

Read: Down syndrome child ‘becomes CM for a day’

He also said that the restoration of Karachi’s major highways was included in the government’s priorities, and the city’s infrastructure was being aligned with modern requirements.

Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, MD Water Board, along with other senior officers, were also present with the chief minister of Sindh.

Earlier in the month, the chief minister distributed Rs8 billion in funds among 105 partner organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to expand the province’s disability support programme.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s House, Shah said the province would further expand the programme in partnership with more than 140 organisations. He added that four special parks for children with disabilities were being developed, along with a new 75-acre rehabilitation city.

He said the “breakthrough” in the initiative had been achieved through collaboration with partner organisations, adding that the government could provide resources but could not run institutions alone.

“A breakthrough in the sector has come when partner organisations joined hands with the government. More than 140 organisations — including small schools and larger institutions — are now working with the government,” he said.

Shah said he had made a personal effort to spend time with children with disabilities and reiterated plans to develop a dedicated city for their rehabilitation and support.