Awareness helps fight renal diseases: CM

LAHORE

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said awareness of kidney diseases is very necessary in order to protect against the disease by adopting precautionary measures.

He said kidney is an important part of human body which, besides cleaning blood, also balances blood chemically therefore awareness about basic kidney diseases is necessary for healthy life.

In his message on the International Day of Awareness of Kidney Diseases, the chief minister said aim of observing kidney day is to create awareness about the importance of kidney and its diseases so that timely precautionary steps can be adopted. He said solid steps have been taken for provision of quality facilities of public health. He said facility of free dialysis has been provided to kidney patients at government hospitals of the province on which billions of rupees are being spent.

Shahbaz said planning has been made for setting up of state-of-the-art Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute and Research Centre in Lahore which is of paramount importance for kidney and liver diseases. He said facility of kidney transplant will also be available at the institute. He said access to quality healthcare facilities is the right of the masses. He said provision of quality medical facilities to the people and improvement of health sector is included in the top priorities of the government that is why Punjab government has made substantial increase in the health budget.

Belarus: Minister for Industry of Republican Belarus Vitaly Mikhailovich Vovk called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday. 

It was agreed to increase cooperation in agriculture, industries, mining and forest sectors between Punjab and Belarus. Prospects of barter trade system were discussed. The minister invited Shahbaz Sharif to visit Belarus. Talking to him, the CM said best friendly relations exist between Pakistan and Belarus. Considerable progress has been made for promoting cooperation in various sectors between Pakistan and Belarus during one and a half years. We want to benefit from the expertise and experiences of Belarus in industry and agriculture sectors. Vitaly Mikhailovich Vovk said Belarus will promote relations with Punjab government on sound footings and its investors are interested to make investment in Pakistan, particularly Punjab. “We will set up tractor assembling plant near Lahore and its foundation stone will soon be laid, he said. 

Safe cities project: Making cities of Punjab safe and peaceful is our top priority and all out resources are being utilised for this purpose. Work is continuing speedily on Safe City Project in Lahore. The Safe Cities Project will be started in other four big cities of Punjab including Multan, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala, said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while chairing the third meeting of Punjab Safe Cities Authority in which progress of some matters of the project was reviewed. 

Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said Safe Cities Project is of great importance for eradication of crimes and improvement of law and order. He said starting of Safe Cities Project for making cities safe is a highly effective step. Use of modern technology will also help in curbing criminal elements.  

UK Foreign Minister: British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Matters of mutual interest, promotion of trade and economic cooperation, health, skills development and security affairs were discussed during the meeting. 

Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz  said Pak-Britain relations have improved considerably during the recent years. He said new era of relations between both countries has started during the tenure of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.