The outpatient department at the 410-bed Civil Hospital on Jhangiwala Road was opened for patients on Tuesday.
The hospital will be officially inaugurated by the chief minister this week.
The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Prison Minister Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, who also became the first patient at the OPD. MPAs Malik Jahanzeb Waran, Abdul Khaliq Qureshi, Fauzia Ayub Qureshi and Siddique Asim were also present. Medical Superintendent Aziz Ahmad said that the people of Bahawalpur were finally getting quality treatment facilities.
Initially, he said, outdoor unit consultant Dr Munir Azhar and surgeon Dr Javed Iqbal will perform duty at the OPD. The hospital has been completed in 14 months.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2013.