Advisor on Health Khawaja Salman Rafiq has said that all facilities of transplantation of kidneys will be provided in Multan Institute of Kidney constructed at a cost of one billion rupees. He said that people of south Punjab will not have to go to other cities for treatment. He said that Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif wants to make this institute on the pattern of Al-Shifa and Agha Khan hospital, therefore, the hospital management will be handed over to a trust for eliminating political and bureaucratic interference and Punjab government will provide all funds. Kh. Salman Rafiq said that approval has been given to 635 vacancies for the institute.
He was addressing a meeting held at Multan Institute of Kidney Diseases (MIKD), today. Secretary Health Punjab Jawad Rafiq Malik, Chairman Liver & Kidney Transplant Center Lahore Prof. Dr. Saeed Akhtar, Commissioner Multan Division Capt.(R) Asad Ullah Khan, DCO Multan Zahid Saleem Gondal, Principal Nishtar Medical College Prof. Dr. Kamran Salik, Executive Director MIKD Prof. Dr. Rafiq Anjum, MS Civil Hospital Raza Mohiuddin, EDO Health Dr. Iftikhar Qureshi and Chairman Board of Directors Nishtar Medical College Kh. Jalal-ud-Din Roomi were also present on the occasion.
Kh. Salman Rafique said that health department is included in top priorities of Punjab Chief Minister and revolutionary changes are being brought in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions so that best facilities of health could be provided to the people. He said that Chief Minister has taken strict notice of delay in the completion of Multan Institute of Kidney Diseases and on his instructions, he, Secretary Health Punjab and Prof. Dr. Saeed Ahmed have arrived Multan to resolve the issues causing delay in the project. He said that Punjab Chief Minister wants to make this institution as a best institute of Pakistan and on the pattern of Tayyip Erdogan Hospital Muzaffargarh, a trust will run the matters of this institute. He said that Punjab government will provide all the funds to the hospital and people will be treated free of cost while trust will not under control of any department. He said that trust will be empowered for recruitment against the vacancies and acquiring services of expert doctors from abroad. He said that experts from Singapore will soon visit this institute and give suggestions regarding its design. He further said that 75 percent machinery for the hospital has been purchased while approval of Rs. 23.3 crore has been granted for purchasing the remaining 25 percent machinery and funds will be released within four days. He said that government will not tolerate any further delay in activating this institute. He said that purchase of all the machinery should soon be completed and outdoor be opened for treatment from November 1. Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik also spoke on the occasion. Executive Director MIKD gave a briefing on the occasion.