Independent report
LAHORE, November 11: Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has directed the concerned executing agencies to expedite the completion of ongoing healthcare projects across the province, reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving medical facilities.
He was chairing a meeting at the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department to review new and ongoing projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP). Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood and senior officials attended the meeting, while several relevant officers participated through video link.
The meeting reviewed progress on a wide range of healthcare projects, including Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research, Lahore; Kulsoom Nawaz Cancer Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan; Maryam Nawaz Institute of Cardiology, Gujranwala; Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology, Sargodha; and the expansion and improvement of Lady Willingdon Hospital, Lahore.
Other projects include a Thalassemia Centre in Bahawalpur, burn units in Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan, Multan Cancer Hospital, Narowal Medical College, University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore, Fatima Jinnah Institute of Dental Sciences, Okara Medical College and Children’s Hospital Rawalpindi.
The review also covered the sewerage system at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi; Teaching Hospital Sialkot; procurement of a linear accelerator for Allied Hospital Faisalabad-I; Children’s Hospital Bahawalpur; renovation of the outpatient department at Mayo Hospital, Lahore; and construction of gynaecology, general surgery and urology operation theatres at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore.
Projects involving Medical Colleges in Layyah and Mianwali were also discussed.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said historic and transformative initiatives were being undertaken in the healthcare sector in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He said a network of new hospitals was being established across Punjab.
He stressed that no compromise would be made on transparency and quality in the execution of healthcare projects.
Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood said all healthcare projects were being continuously monitored and that the department was maintaining close coordination with all relevant departments to ensure timely progress.
