Punjab government to set up new medical universities

On the orders of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, two medical universities in Rawalpindi and Multan would be set up very soon and it will be helpful to promote medical education in the province besides strengthening and developing the public health sector, nursing and allied health sciences as well.
Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique chaired a meeting here on Monday and deliberated on the set up of new medical universities in the province. Principals of Rawalpindi Medical College and Nishter Medical College gave presentations regarding the set up of medical universities in their respective districts. It was informed that in Sindh province, there are 8 medical universities in public sector whereas in Punjab there are only 3 medical universities in public sector while population of the province has reached about 120 million.
Secretary Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Najam Ahmed Shah revealed that all the resources, land and hospitals are available in both districts for setting up medical universities; however, the government would provide all additional resources required for this purpose. He directed to constitute a 4-member committee headed by VC KEMU Professor Faisal Masood to prepare the feasibility report and recommendations, within a week in this regard.
Salman Rafique said that the promotion of medical education and strengthening of health sector is the passion of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and he is ready to provide all out resources for setting up medical universities. He recalled that few years back, five medical colleges were established in different districts of Punjab on the direction of Chief Minister.
He further said that by establishing medical universities in southern and northern regions of the province, the health facilities would be enhanced and new opportunities of medical education would be available to the youth in their areas.
The vice-chancellor King Edward Medical University Professor Faisal Masood, pro-vice chancellor University of Health Science Professor Junaid Sarfraz Khan, Principal Rawalpindi Medical College Professor Muhammad Umer, Principal Nishter Medical College Multan Professor Kamran Salik, Additional Secretary Technical Dr Salman Shahid and Deputy Secretary Medical Education Dr Nasir Shakir attended the meeting.