Health minister inspects revamping of Mayo Hospital

LAHORE:Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir has said the renovation and upgrading of hospitals across the province is progressing rapidly on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

He stated this during a visit to Mayo Hospital here on Wednesday. Accompanied by King Edward Medical University Vice Chancellor Prof Mehmood Ayaz, the health minister toured the Chaudhry Tahir Waleed Memorial Ward and reviewed ongoing medical services. He emphasised that missing facilities in the Gastro Ward would soon be provided, ensuring improved healthcare services. He also announced that the Chaudhry Tahir Waleed Memorial Ward would be inaugurated soon.

Meanwhile, Khawaja Imran Nazir emphasised the need for giving pharmacists their due recognition in society.Speaking as the chief guest at a ceremony marking World Pharmacist Day on Wednesday, the minister acknowledged the role pharmacists play in the healthcare sector and stressed the importance of improving their status. ‘Pharmacists are Doctors of Pharmacy, yet society has not given them the recognition they deserve, Khawaja Imran Nazir stated.

Expressing his personal commitment to the profession, the minister revealed that the government had previously recruited over 1,000 pharmacists and assured further efforts to create job opportunities in the field. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to engage the private sector to address challenges facing the profession, including the fight against counterfeit medicines. Khawaja Imran also underscored the significant economic contribution of the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, which have attracted an investment of Rs3,200 billion, supporting both healthcare and the national economy. The ceremony concluded with the distribution of shields to pharmaceutical company owners for their contributions to the industry.The event was attended by numerous pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and industry representatives.