Mayo emergency block to be ready by early Jan: CM

LAHORE : Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi inspected the final stages of upgrading Mayo Hospital’s emergency block on Thursday. During his visit, he assessed the finishing touches and ongoing construction activities.

Naqvi announced the opening of the upgraded emergency block in early January, expressing appreciation for the high quality of the construction work.

Emphasising the importance of patient convenience, Naqvi directed the installation of proper signboards. He ordered the completion of 100% of the emergency block's work by the beginning of January. Acknowledging the commendable performance of the Infrastructure Development Authority and the Department of Communication and Works, Naqvi lauded their efforts.

Meanwhile, Punjab CM Mohsin Naqvi visited the Emergency Services Academy Thokar Niaz Baig on Thursday, partaking in the passing-out parade ceremony for the rescuers.

Observing their emergency response, Naqvi witnessed impeccable rescue drills, including swimming training, equipment inspections, and a symbolic descent from a fire tower with the national flag.

He praised Rescue 1122 for its exemplary performance during the Turkey rescue operation.

Chief Minister received salutes from the passing-out rescuers and inspected rescuers' parade and awarded shields and prizes to those excelling in the training, emphasising the significance of life-saving skills. DG Emergency Services Academy Dr Rizwan Naseer administered the oath to the rescuers.

Addressing the ceremony, Naqvi highlighted that every fourth patient faces heart problems and announced funds of Rs30 crore for Automated External Defibrillator (AED) equipment in 800 ambulances to enhance cardiac emergency response. Commending the internationally recognised training provided at the academy, he urged the youth to take pride in their qualification. Meanwhile, CM Mohsin Naqvi paid a surprise visit to the facilitation centre of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore where visiting students were found perturbed as a significant number of staff was absent just before the break.

He also noticed multiple counters unmanned, leaving students frustrated. The chief minister interacted with students, who raised complaints about the absence of staff, adding that the counters were unmanned even before the break.

Expressing his dissatisfaction, CM Naqvi stated that staff absence during office hours is unacceptable negligence while students are present at the counters for the solution of their issues. Expressing his concern, Naqvi emphasised that the online availability of BISE's services would spare students the need to physically visit the office.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi conducted a visit to the Al-Falah Building to inspect the newly established business facilitation centre aimed at providing convenience to investors.

He reviewed the one-window operation for local and foreign investors, inspected the functions of the provincial and federal government departments' counters and engaged in discussions with officials. He directed that the issuance of NOCs to investors be ensured within a specified timeframe.

Under this flagship programme, 20 provincial and federal departments are providing services to the investors under one roof; he added and disclosed that business facilitation centres are also being set up in Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Multan, contributing to the overall ease of doing business across the region.