Minister orders timely revamping of Jinnah Hospital

LAHORE:Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has directed the contractors to complete the revamping project in Jinnah Hospital Lahore (JHL) as soon as possible by increasing the work in two shifts. He issued these directions while chairing a meeting at the Department of Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education on Friday.

Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mehmood participated in the meeting in which a detailed review of the revamping project was given by the officers concerned, contractor and XEN. Khawaja Salman said that in Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Paeds Emergency, Surgical Unit Two, ICU First Floor, Medical Unit Two, Eye Ward, CCU Second Floor, Gynecology Ward, Cardiac Surgery and other units have been revamped. Efforts are being made to complete the revamping project on a priority basis for the convenience of patients visiting government hospitals, he added.

The provincial minister directed the officers concerned to continuously monitor the ongoing revamping project in government hospitals. There will be no compromise on quality and transparency in the revamping project, he warned.

Special Secretary Development Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Chief Planning Officer Abdul Haq Bhatti, Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College Prof Asghar Naqi, MS Jinnah Hospital Dr Kashif Jahangir, Dr Shabbir Chaudhry, officers concerned, contractors and other officers participated.

PPP leader highlights free heart surgeries in Pakistan Dr Khayyam Hafeez, President of the Pakistan People's Party Doctors’ Forum Central Punjab, on Friday, emphasised the availability of free and affordable heart surgeries for children in Pakistan. In a statement issued on Friday, he highlighted that, unlike in India, where the cost of such surgeries can range from Rs12.5 to 15 million, treatments are offered free-of-charge in Pakistan at leading public sector hospitals, including the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Punjab Institute of Cardiology, and Children's Hospital Lahore.

Additionally, private hospitals in Pakistan offer these surgeries at significantly lower costs, around Rs1 million. Dr Hafeez called on the Ministries of Interior and Health to take action against the mafias referring children abroad for treatments that are available locally.

He proposed that before issuing visas or No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for medical purposes, individuals should be informed about the domestic facilities available, which would not only save valuable foreign exchange but also ensure that children receive timely and cost-effective treatment within Pakistan.