Salman promises best health facilities for masses

LAHORE:Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said in his message on World Health Day that Punjab is committed to providing the best health facilities to the people.

According to the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, historic and revolutionary steps are being taken in the health sector. Providing the best treatment and care facilities to patients in government hospitals is the top priority. Khawaja Salman Rafique said, ‘We reiterate our commitment to providing the best health and treatment facilities to the people. ‘Comprehensive health reforms will be made successful in Punjab under the vision of “Healthy Punjab”. Comprehensive and effective steps are being taken to improve treatment facilities in major hospitals. For the first time, the provision of medicines to the people at their doorsteps is being ensured. Pakistan’s first government cancer hospital in Punjab and a cardiology institute in Sargodha will soon be opened for the public. ‘Chief Minister’s Children’s Heart Surgery Program, Chief Minister’s Dialysis Programme and Chief Minister’s Special Initiative for Transplant Program are the flagship programs of the Punjab government. For the first time in history, an air ambulance service has been started to transport patients from backward areas to big cities in case of emergency.

‘Theme of the 2025 World Health Day is “Healthy Start, Promising Future” related to maternal and child health and safety. We need to adopt a healthy lifestyle along with treatment facilities. World Health Day reminds us to focus on maintaining good health. In Punjab, a lot of work is being done on prevention as well as fighting diseases,’ the minister said. The minister attended a ceremony organised at Government Lady Willingdon Hospital on the occasion of World Health Day as a guest of honour. The minister also visited the new building under construction of the LWH and reviewed the progress.

On the occasion, Vice-Chancellor King Edward Medical University Prof Mahmood Ayaz, MS, Prof Ibrar Ashraf and other faculty members were also present. The IDAP team briefed the minister on the latest progress at the site of the hospital.

Addressing the event, the minister reiterated the commitment of providing the best health facilities to people. \He said the chief minister is very keen to improve the conditions of government hospitals and in this regard I and the Health Secretary are visiting hospitals daily. The minister maintained the government has come up with mega projects for the improvement of the health sector and for the first time in the country’s history, an air ambulance has been introduced in province.

He said the Punjab government is also considering building new government hospitals. Meanwhile, the minister visited Kot Khawaja Saeed Hospital and reviewed medical facilities available for patients. He visited the emergency, Chief Minister’s complaint counter, slip counters, medicine store, hospital wards and other departments.