PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Tuesday insisted that the federal government had always been reluctant to initiate development schemes in the province, and said the Workers Welfare Board which had pledged to construct the burns and trauma centre here had stopped funding, and now the USAID had taken responsibility for the centre`s completion.

He made the remarks while addressing a ceremony held to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with USAID in this regard at the Chief Minister House.

Mr Khattak said the USAID would provide $15 million and technical support for establishment and operationalisation of Burns and Trauma Hospital at Hayatabad Medical Complex.

Almost 90 per cent work has been competed on the 120-bed centre, according to a handout.

Out of the total cost of Rs1.6 billion Rs157 million would be borne by USAID.

Similarly, the donor agency will also launch three years health initiative project in seven districts, including Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Swat, Malakand, Buner and Shangla.

Under the agreement, USAID will increase availability of quality maternal and child, especially newborns health services, in the Malakand division.