QUETTA: A significant step towards improving public health safety was taken as the Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN), in collaboration with the Health Department Balochistan, officially launched a fleet of special yellow vehicles for the management of infectious medical waste.
The initiative, part of IHHN’s national Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) program, was inaugurated by Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar at a ceremony held at the Sikandar Jamali Auditorium Hall. The event was attended by health department officers, representatives from UNICEF, the National TB Control Program, and IHHN leadership.
Under this nationwide program, IHHN has developed fifteen specialized mobile yellow vans designed for the safe collection, transportation, and disposal of hazardous medical waste. As a pilot phase, two of these vans will be operationalized in Quetta and Qila Saifullah. These vehicles will transport infectious waste from various medical facilities in accordance with international standards.
Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, while inaugurating the project, stated, “Proper management of healthcare waste is a basic need. This initiative of Indus Hospital and Health Network is a strong step towards a safer environment for our patients, healthcare workers and the people of the province.” He emphasized that the program’s success hinges on effective cooperation and implementation at all administrative levels.
Dr. Mah-e-Talaat, Executive Director of IHHN’s Community Health Directorate, explained that the yellow vehicles represent a complete and reliable system, not just transport. She described the initiative as a milestone for establishing a safe and healthy environment, which will promote transparency, effective management, and adherence to modern standards in Balochistan’s health system.
Meanwhile a high-level review meeting, chaired by Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, was held at the Chief Minister Secretariat on Friday to finalize the administrative and technical integration of the Levies Force into the provincial police.
The meeting, attended by key officials including Additional Chief Secretary Home Hamza Shafqat, IG Police Muhammad Tahir Khan, and DG Levies Abdul Ghaffar Magsi, reviewed in detail the challenges faced by officers and personnel transitioning from the Levies into the police. Various administrative proposals were presented to resolve these issues, with a firm agreement that transparency and merit would be ensured at every stage of the merger process.
