Several development projects, including a kidney dialysis centre, were inaugurated at Mayo Hospital on Saturday.
The projects included improvement of Orthopaedic and Traumatology Centres, the construction of a road at the Outpatient Department, the construction of a floor in the Paediatrics Department building, the installation of a water turbine and the construction of a mosque at the hospital. The schemes were completed at a cost of Rs 354 million.
Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique and Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema inaugurated the projects.
“The government has increased the health budget by 16 per cent this year. However the cooperation of philanthropists in providing healthcare facilities to poor patients is always welcome,” Rafique said.
“Those who have spent millions of rupees on the welfare of poor patients must be praised.”
Rafique said the government had allocated Rs121 billion for the health sector this year. He said the focus was on the prevention of diseases.
Doctors at the Nephrology Department said the installation of a dialysis machines at the hospital would benefit hundreds of patients each month.
Parliamentary Secretary on Health Khwaja Imran Nazir said the hospital catered to thousands of patients every month and the credit for that went to philanthropists who helped poor patients.
He said the projects completed with their help would save many lives.
Professor Syed Awais said the ceremony had been organised to thank those who had helped complete the development projects.
Health Department Director General Dr Zahid Pervaiz, Cooperatives Department Secretary Babar Hayat Tarar and Punjab Assembly member Majid Zahoor attended the ceremony.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2014.