Daily Times

The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Hospital to develop and operate a Health & Wellness Centre on the university’s premises for the provision of emergency medical services to all members of LUMS.

Within three months of the MoU being signed, the Health & Wellness Centre was inaugurated on Wednesday by NHMC Chief Executive Officer Dr Shahida Khawaja and LUMS Vice Chancellor Professor Dr S Sohail H Naqvi.

At the ceremony, Dr Shahida Khawaja spoke about the absolute need to have quick and effective treatment on the premises. She said, “All the basic facilities for urgent care are present on-spot for the entire LUMS community.”

Talking about the importance of the centre, Dr LUMS VC Dr S Sohail H Naqvi said, “It was imperative for the LUMS family to have a Health & Wellness Centre for emergency cases. There will be ambulances available to take more serious cases to the National Hospital. The centre will especially be important for preventive campaigns to take better care of the students.”

NHMC will offer a state-of-the-art medical care facility to LUMS and will also ensure the operations and management of the centre since the university does not possess the requisite expertise. The centre will cater to all first aid medical situations on campus, while those that require further treatment or diagnosis will be referred to NHMC. The facility is planned to be active 24 hours, seven days a week including all national holidays. The centre will comprise of a doctor and two staff members, beds for patients, basic emergency equipment, basic medicines and an active ambulance service.

“This is a step towards a better, healthier and more comprehensive campus climate for all those who contribute in making LUMS a leading institution in Pakistan. The inauguration of a 24/7 clinic on campus is setting an example to institutional leaders that as a nation we must value inclusive-excellence which includes physical, mental and emotional well-being for each individual as part of our core mission of educational institutions,” commented Hiba Zakai, Campus Climate Manager and Dean of Student Affairs Office.

She said that this agreement will benefit the students the most and especially those living in hostels since immediate and quality medical care will be readily available whereas until now students had to be transported to the nearest hospital in case of emergency.

Published in Daily Times, June 28^th 2018.