International linkages: Tayyip Erdogan Hospital to open on June 21

He said a number of Turkish companies were collaborating with the Punjab government on various projects.

He said establishment of Tayyip Erdogan Hospital in Muzaffargarh was a great gift from the Turkish government for the people of south Punjab. He said Tayyip Erdogan Hospital would start providing free medical facilities from June 21.

He was addressing a delegation of Turkey’s health ministry.

The delegation included Foreign and European Union Affairs Director General Oner Guner, Hasan Baskaya and other senior officials.

Sharif said the government and the people of Turkey had set a high example of sacrifice and brotherhood by helping their Pakistani brethren in their hour of need.

He said the people of the Punjab and the Turkish government had worked closely during the floods and had assisted the calamity-hit people of the area. He said Tayyip Erdogan Hospital had state-of-the-art machinery and modern medical facilities would be available at the hospital.

He said residential facilities would also be provided to doctors at the hospital. The chief minister said Tayyip Erdogan Hospital was a trust hospital. He said the model would be replicated across the province.

He said the Punjab government had taken steps for the provision of latest health facilities to citizens.

He said that a strategy had been adopted for improving healthcare system. He said billions of rupees were being spent for this purpose. He said special attention was being given to improving facilities in existing hospitals.

The delegation expressed interest in collaborating with the Punjab government in the health sector and provide training to doctors and other staff.

Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, Ambassador of Pakistan in Turkey Muhammad Haroon Shaukat, the chief secretary and Planning and Development Department chairman was also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2014.