Scope of emergency services expanded to every UC: minister

LAHORE:Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has expanded the scope of emergency services to every union council.

Addressing the main ceremony of International Volunteer Day 2024 at the Emergency Services Academy here on Monday, the minister said, “A life-saving programme was launched under the leadership of the CM. Air ambulance service in Punjab is continuing very successfully. Alhamdulillah, emergency services are being started on the motorway very soon. Rescuers get a lot of opportunities to learn in this academy. Rescue 1122 has earned a lot of respect under the leadership of Dr Rizwan Naseer.”

Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth and Volunteers Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed attended the ceremony as the guest of honor. Secretary Emergency Services Punjab Dr Rizwan Naseer, Dr Yahya Gulzar, Dr Irfan, Sajjad Hafeez and a large number of volunteers attended the occasion.

Secretary Emergency Services Dr Rizwan Naseer administered oath of service to humanity to the volunteers on this occasion. Around 62 rescue teams including those from China participated in the ceremony.

Rana Mashhood Ahmed said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched the National Volunteers Programme on August 12. He said, “We salute the courage of the rescuers. The courage of our youth has foiled every conspiracy of the enemies. Pakistan will always be alive and strong.”

Secretary Emergency Services Dr Rizwan Naseer said that the spirit of serving humanity begins as a volunteer. Alhamdulillah, fire services, flood services and motorbike services are running successfully in Punjab, he said.