Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Taj Haider has assured the lady health workers (LHWs) that they would be regularised and will have a proper pay-scale once the health sector is transferred from federal government to the provincial governments.

"This tends to be a fact with the introduction of 18th amendment in the Constitution," he told the LHWs as well as activists at a session to discuss post 18th amendment scenario in Sindh and the issue of 23000 Lady Health Workers (LHWs).

It was jointly organised by National Organization of Worker (NOW) Communities, Aurat Foundation and Aahang on Thursday evening.

Mentioning that the process of devolution of health sector would be finalised by June this year, he advised LHWs to be patient as the "pro-masses" government of theirs would not disappoint them.

"We are from the grass root level and need constant support of the masses," commented the senior politician.

"We ought not to be alienated and distracted as this may not be good for any of us," he added.

Taj Haider said that he could not assure that the demands of LHWs may be accepted immediately.

The Advisor to CM-Sindh, however, reiterated that they are genuine and will be implemented in due course of time.

He on the occasion also dispelled impression that disciplinary action would be taken against those involved in protests.

The senior PPP activist sounded apologetic that some of the workers were subjected to lathi (baton) charge while taking out processions for acceptance of their demands.

Dr. Jaffar Ahmed, a senior researcher and director, Pakistan Studies Center, Karachi University discussed in detail the back ground of 18th amendment to the constitution.

He cited it to be a part of long pending demand of the provinces that was materialised through a unanimous approval of all political parties and public representatives in the parliament.

He regretted that media could not play its objective role in realising its crucial relevance for a strong country with equal rights and opportunities of development for all its components.

"This demand for decentralisation has a long political history in our country," he said.

Additional Secretary, Sindh Social Welfare Department, Iqbal Said Khan, on the occasion said the provinces are registered to gain better access to resources and autonomy with the passage of the amendment.

"We, however, have to counter the issue of corruption," he commented.

President, Pakistan Association of LHWs Bushra Arain, said LHW Programme was introduced by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto who had a certain vision about it and was committed to develop LHW Programme into a strong healthcare force.

"We are expected to deliver in the remotest of the areas with little care towards our own status," she said.

Sindh Coordinator for LHW Association Khairunisa, said non- payment of salary to a significant number of LHWs in the province has emerged to be an issue of their survival.

Coordinator, NOW Communities Farhat Parveen, said under the constitution of the country any national or provincial programme that maintained its existence for more than nine months has to be regularised and legalised.

Farhat Firdous of Aahang said the cause of LHWs is being supported by all due to their marked contribution towards the healthcare (including reproductive health) needs of women and children.

Resident Director, Aurat Foundation Mehnaz Rehman, said LHWs had been struggling for their rights and demanding for regularisation of their services and its was important to address their issue at the highest levels.

The meeting was also addressed by Fatima Hasan of Sindh Employees Social Security Institution, Ms. Shaheen a representative of Sindh Department of Women Development, Iftikhar Solangi, the first Programme Officer for LHW Programme and Additional Director, Sindh Health Department Mohsin Ahmed Shah.