Daily Times

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar inaugurated the 100-bed drug addiction center for the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts at Punjab Institute of Mental Health. He went to different sections including the gymnasium and inquired after the addicts. A patient presented the painting, made by him, to the Chief Minister. Usman Buzdar also planted a sapling and prayed for the success of trees plantation campaign.

Talking on the occasion, he said that addicts deserve sympathies, instead of hatred, as their presence is no less than a social tragedy. It would be a cruelty to leave them at others mercy. Different problems arise due to the menace of narcotics, he maintained. The whole family is suffered due to the presence of an addict and it is the responsibility of the state to help such hapless people. He said that the PTI government strongly believes in the philosophy of a welfare state instead of ruling the people. Punjab government has established a specialized institution to bring the addicts towards life. Such people would be rehabilitated by imparting different vocational skills. It is hoped that addicts would become self-reliant after their treatment and the government will treat them to pay them back the joys of happiness. Usman Buzdar said that a state-of-the-art hospital has been established with an amount of Rs.240 million to treat the people suffering from narcotics.

Talking to the media, the Chief Minister said that a taskforce has been set up for running the hospital and eradication of narcotics in which provincial minister for health and minister for narcotics control will also be given representation. To another question, he said that we are in contact with the Sindh police on the issue of kidnapping of Hindu girls. These girls have also filed an appeal in the High Court. Usman Buzdar informed that every sort of facility has been provided to Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for the treatment adding that his medical reports are before all of you.

He said that the performance of provincial ministers is being monitored regularly and cabinet can be reshuffled if needed. Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan is like a brother to us, he said. He said that big challenges are faced in the province but our commitment is also strong. Improvement of the health sector is top of our priorities and progress of the whole province is our agenda. Funds will be spent on a priority basis for the development of backward areas, he added. Provincial ministers including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Hafiz Mumtaz Ahmad, provincial secretaries, doctors, and others were also present on the occasion.

Later on, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar made a surprise inspection of Children Hospital after the inauguration of drug addiction center where he visited different wards and inquired about the facilities from attendants. He also inspected the cardiac ICU ward of Children Hospital. He directed to carry out bone marrow transplant of a child patient at the earliest on the request of a woman. Talking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Children Hospital is providing quality healthcare facilities to the patients and added that Punjab government will establish five mother-and-child hospitals in remote areas of the province on a need basis.