Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday approved the construction of a cancer hospital and research centre in Lahore.
Speaking at a meeting in this regard, he said the hospital would be set up in the Knowledge Park. He said a trust would run the hospital and that it would have an independent board of governors.
He said doctors and other hospital staff would be trained abroad. “Cancer is a fatal disease and its treatment is very costly. I hope for the early construction of the hospital,” he said.
Earlier, Prof Zafar Ali, the principal of Khwaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College Sialkot, briefed the chief minister about the project. Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique, the chief secretary, the Planning and Development Board chairman, the Lahore Development Authority director general and the district coordination officer the meeting.
Separately, Sharif announced a grant of Rs2 billion for the construction of a King Edward Medical University (KEMU) campus in Muridke.
Speaking at the university’s annual convocation, he said the government had provided 120 acres for the new campus.
He said healthcare was the government’s top priority. As such maximum resources had been allocated to provide better health services.
He asked doctors to spare no efforts in serving people. “Doctors should abide by their code of conduct. They should serve the ailing humanity without any discrimination.”
Congratulating the graduates, Sharif said he hoped that they would play a pivotal role for the improvement of healthcare system. He urged doctors to show no hesitation in working at rural and basic health centres and tehsil hospitals.
“Doctors should always be ready to serve in far-flung and backward areas,” he said.
“I am honoured to address the KEMU convocation. The institution has the distinction of producing renowned doctors serving in Pakistan and abroad,” he said.
He praised the KEMU for rendering invaluable services for medical education and research.
The chief minister said there was no shortage of resources and health experts should suggest ways to bring about improvements in the health sector.
Sharif said a modern Tayyip Erdogan Hospital was being built in Muzaffargarh with the help of the Turkish government.
“Now the patients from southern Punjab will not have to go to Lahore or Karachi for treatment. They will be provided modern heath services in Muzaffargarh.”
The chief minister also awarded gold medals to the distinguished graduates.
KEMU Vice Chancellor Faisal Masood highlighted academic activities of the institution. He said solid measures were being taken to improve the standards of education.
Education Minister Rana Mashhud Ahmed Khan and Parliamentary Secretary on Health Khwaja Imran Nazir were also present.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2014.