Maryam directs setting up catheterisation labs in 16 districts

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has directed the authorities to establish catheterization (cath) laboratories in 16 districts of the province for the treatment of patients suffering from cardiac diseases.

These districts are Attock, Jhelum, Mianwali, Kasur, Jhang, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Layyah, Toba Tek Singh, Sheikhupura, Khanewal, Rajanpur, Bhakkar, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad.

“Deployment of doctors and staff for these labs has started and the services of the best interventional cardiologists will be sought,” she said, adding: “Doctors having FCPS, MD and American Board of Cardiology degrees will be appointed in district headquarters hospitals.”

Experienced cardiology medical officers and nurses will be placed in cath labs, which will also have medical imaging technologists, she said.

Meanwhile, Punjab’s Special Education Department and the British Council have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to formalise a new phase of collaboration focused on enhancing leadership and management capacity in special education institutions across the province.

On the occasion, Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Special Education Sania Ashiq briefed the Country Director British Council James Hampson on steps taken by the Punjab government for the purpose. “We want to benefit from UK experiences in autism and inclusive education,” she said.

Country Director British Council Hampson assured of providing technical assistance in special education, saying: “We will fully cooperate in setting a new path of empowerment for special children in Punjab”.