CM announces Rs50m special grant for Paraplegic Centre

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday announced a special grant of Rs50 million for the Paraplegic Centre in Peshawar and declared that its annual regular grant would be increased from Rs300 million to Rs400 million in the upcoming provincial budget.

An official handout said that he announced during his visit to the Paraplegic Centre Peshawar.During his visit, he received a briefing from the relevant authorities on the medical services, facilities, and challenges faced by the centre.

He was accompanied by provincial cabinet members Ehtesham Ali, Humayun Khan and Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif. The chief minister visited various sections of the centre and reviewed the quality of care being provided to the patients.

The chief minister directed authorities to release the remaining Rs75 million from the current regular grant and announced that core medical services provided at the centre would now be included under the Sehat Card Plus health insurance scheme.

Gandapur ordered the release of funds for land purchased for the centre’s expansion, emphasizing that it was a unique institution dedicated to the rehabilitation of people with disabilities.

He reaffirmed the provincial government’s full support for its mission and operations and announced plans to expand the center’s capacity to 500 beds. Highlighting broader healthcare initiatives, the chief minister stated that kidney, bone marrow, liver transplants, and implants had been included under the Sehat Card scheme to reduce the financial burden of expensive treatments on citizens.

He shared plans to include thalassemia treatment and rehabilitation services for drug addiction in the next phase of the health initiative. Expressing gratitude to philanthropists supporting the government’s efforts, Gandapur underscored the importance of serving persons with disabilities, stating they deserved special attention and heartfelt assistance. “Disability should never be treated as a limitation,” he said, adding, “We must cultivate a spirit of mutual support and collective progress. With shared determination and compassion, success is inevitable.”