Daily Times

LAHORE: All resources would be utilised to ensure provision of best health facilities to people.

Medical is a noble profession; doctors should perform their duties considering it a service to humanity. This was stated by Punjab Chief Secretary Akbar Durrani during a visit to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Surgical Tower Mayo Hospital on Wednesday. He visited different wards, inquired from the patients about provision of health facilities and issued necessary orders for resolving their problems.

The chief secretary also directed that cleanliness arrangements be improved in hospitals and in this regard, awareness among people also be enhanced. He added that visits to hospitals would continue for bringing improvement in healthcare system. He said that a lot of work has been done in the health sector in Punjab but condition of hospitals is still poor.

He mentioned that he was shocked to see dilapidated buildings during his visits to Jinnah Hospital, Lady Willingdon Hospital and the Punjab Dental Hospital. He asked the specialised healthcare secretary to spend 60 to 70 percent of the budget on the repair and maintenance work of buildings instead of spending whole money on new projects and directed Fatima Jinnah Medical University Vice Chancellor Professor Javed Gardezi to prepare cost estimation for repair and maintenance of the hostel. He said that tree plantation campaign should be continued in the university and hostel in a vigorous manner, urging teachers and students to come forward and play their role in this regard.

Mayo Hospital Chief Operating Officer Dr Tahir Khalil briefed that a state-of-the-art Surgical Tower has been set up at Mayo Hospital at a cost of Rs 3 billion. He maintained that latest medical facilities of surgery and diagnostic tests are being provided free of cost in the 405-bed tower.

Specialised Healthcare Secretary Saqib Zafar, Special Secretary Usman Muazam, King Edward Medical College University Vice Chancellor Professor Kahlid Masood Gondal, Mayo Hospital Chief Executive Officer Professor Asad Aslam Khan were also present on the occasion.

Published in Daily Times, July 18^th 2018.