Govt establishes Autism Centre in PIMS: Shahadat Awan

Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan says the government has established an Autism Centre in the premises of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) which has been operational since last six months.

Answering during the Question Hour in the Senate on Friday, he said the services at the center offer daily OPD, diagnosis, analysis and management plan. He said speech therapist, psychiatrist, physiotherapist, pediatrician, audiology services are also readily available.

The Minister said PC-1 is also being prepared for provision of comprehensive services at the Autism Centre.

He said the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine is providing psychological and speech therapy assessment, diagnosis and management of children with autism spectrum disorder.

To another question, the Minister said a project of extension of the Federal Government Polyclinic is included in the PSDP of the current financial year. He said the total cost of this project is over 9913 million rupees.

Responding to a question, Shahadat Awan informed the House that women are being given due representation in Pakistan Hockey Federation.

He said there is a PHF Women’s Council comprising twelve members elected by their respective Provincial Women’s Hockey Associations.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar informed the House that government will provide two million rupees to each victim family of Bajaur blast incident.

Taking floor of the House, he said seven hundred thousand rupees will be given to the seriously injured whereas five hundred thousand will be given to the persons with minor injuries.