CM announces plan for Jinnah Institute of Cardiology

LAHORE: Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday announced a plan for the construction of the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in the building adjacent to Jinnah Hospital, akin to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC).

He emphasised that the new institute would exclusively focus on cardiac care, alleviating pressure on PIC. While acknowledging that the project will take time to reach completion, he affirmed its potential to become a vital healthcare facility. Additionally, he disclosed plans to relocate the trauma centre to Jinnah Hospital and upgrade it to a state-of-the-art facility.

A board meeting of Jinnah Hospital was scheduled for Saturday, during which decisions regarding the hospital's affairs will be made. This development follows the chief minister's visit to Jinnah Hospital earlier, where he interacted with patients, including an injured polio worker, inquiring after their health. He reviewed the medical facilities available and met with transplant recipients under the Free Kidney Transplant Programme, ensuring they incurred no expenses for the procedure.

In a meeting chaired by CM at Jinnah Hospital, the decision was reached to construct a cardiac hospital in lieu of the initially planned trauma centre. He issued directives for expeditious resolution of all matters pertaining to the heart hospital. A seven-member committee, led by Prof Dr Farqad Alamgir, was formed to oversee the project. Provincial Ministers Dr Javed Akram and Amir Mir, secretaries of health, communication & works, special secretary health, Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College, MS Jinnah Hospital, and other relevant officers were present.

Naqvi for expedited completion of LCBD Project

Caretaker CM visited the Lahore Prime Central Business District (CBD) in the Quaid District Project. He inspected the ongoing road construction from CBD Punjab Quaid District to Walton Road, closely assessing the project's progress. He directed the commencement of construction on the overhead bridge project spanning the Walton railway track, urging swift execution. He observed the ongoing construction activities leading up to the bridge site and emphasised expediting the completion of the Walton Overhead Bridge project. The chief minister remarked that this endeavour would chart a new trajectory for Lahore's development. Once completed, the linkage between Center Point and Walton Road will be traversable in a mere three minutes.

Stresses joint efforts to make country polio-free

Caretaker chief minister has said that every segment of the society must play its role in dealing with the challenge of poliovirus.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the CM said that the poliovirus has been defeated globally, but it still exists in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which is a matter of concern. It is the primary duty of every Pakistani to make the country free of poliovirus, he added and appealed to the parents to get polio drops administered to their children to save them from this fatal disease.

Medical camp at Kot Lakhpat Jail

A free medical camp was arranged on the direction of the chief minister, at Central Jail Kot Lakhpat for prisoners. Checkups of around 96 prisoners were conducted and free eye operations of some prisoners were also recommended by the doctors.

Meanwhile, Lahore Arts Council Chairman Qasim Ali Shah called on the caretaker CM to convey his regrets about continuing his tenure as Chairman due to personal commitments. The CM, acknowledging Qasim Ali Shah's dedicated service to the promotion of art and culture, extended an offer for him to persist in this endeavour.