BOLTON health workers have given a boost to a trailblazing project which is set to transform health care in India. Bolton Community Healthcare Trust has been involved in an eight-week fact finding mission to establish a comprehensive health care facility in the foothills of the Himalayas. Kamran Durrani, project manager for the Abaseen Institute of Medical Sciences in Peshawar, swapped the foothills of the world's highest mountains for the fells of Lancashire for an eight-week fact finding mission before the institute launches its first outpatient clinics in December.

The clinics, run by consultants trained in the UK or USA, are the first phase of the institute's development which will see work start on a 48-bed general hospital in the year 2000.

During his visit to Lancashire, Kamran met senior managers employed by Bolton Community Trust, staff at Calderstones Hospital near Whalley, Blackpool's Victoria Hospital and the University of Central Lancashire.

"There are 22 million people in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan and they come into Peshawar for medical treatment," said Kamran.

"Existing hospitals are already stretched and the Abaseen outpatient clinics are just the first phase of a project which puts a strong emphasis on establishing community services and on training medical and managerial staff, community health workers and community specialist nurses -- an idea that is new to the Province," he added.

Mr Patrick Wallace, chief executive of Bolton Community Healthcare Trust, said: "Kamran Durrani visited Bolton Community Trust and met with senior managers who were delighted to offer their expert advice regarding the establishment of community health services.

"Effective community primary care is the backbone of any health service and the trust wishes every success to the project in Peshawar."

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