Health sector: Huge funds allocated for uplift projects; minister

LAHORE: Funds of billions of rupees have been allocated for development projects in the health sector, which will increase the capacity of nursing colleges, training centers and hospitals.

Provincial Minister for Health Khawaja Salman Rafique said this while speaking at a function organized at the University of Child Health Sciences in connection with the “World Play Day” here at the University of Child Health Sciences.

Members of Punjab Assembly Adnan Chattha and Ishrat Ashraf, vice-chancellor Prof. Dr Masood Sadiq, Medical Director Children’s Hospital Prof. Dr. Tipu Sultan, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Junaid Rashid and other faculty members were also present on the occasion.

The provincial minister visited various stalls and appreciated the beautiful models made by young and innocent children. The innocent children presented their models to the guests.

Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said the nursing colleges have been upgraded while modern equipment has been provided in labs. Nurses are being trained in modern and international standards. Pakistani professional nurses are in demand all over the world, he said.

He further said that nursing universities are also being established in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan. “The dignity of doctors and nurses is most important for us. We salute the doctors and nurses who treat thousands of patients who come to hospitals on a daily basis,” he said, adding: “As many as 450 medical seats are being increased next year. With the establishment of specialized centers at the district level, special training courses are being started for nurses, among which the stroke management department is noteworthy. Digitalization and paperless system are being introduced in government hospitals, which will make nursing services and patient care more effective.”

Speaking on the occasion, Adnan Afzal Chattha MPA, who is also Chairperson of CM Punjab Task Force on Skills Development said that the nursing department is the backbone of the health system. No modern system in the world can replace the nursing department, he said, adding: “ Our nurses are in high demand abroad and the Skills Development & Entrepreneurship Department (SDED) is taking steps for placement of our nurses and skilled human resource abroad.” As per vision of the Punjab Chief Minister, he said the SDED is imparting demand driven training to our youth with focus on their economic empowerment.

Member of Punjab Assembly Ishrat Ashraf said that serving humanity includes both religion and the world, and the nursing sector has great importance in the health system.

Moreover, health minister Khawaja Salman Rafique visited the under-construction Jinnah Institute of Cardiology Lahore to review the ongoing progress.

The minister reviewed the ongoing progress of Jinnah Institute of Cardiology Lahore in detail. The project director and contractors of the executing agency IDAP gave a briefing on the ongoing progress.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the emergency and OPD of Jinnah Institute of Cardiology will be opened for the public very soon, Insha Allah. He said that all the relevant institutions including IDAP are working day and night on JIC Lahore. Insha Allah we are completing this cardiology hospital on time. Thousands of patients of Punjab will benefit from Jinnah Institute of Cardiology Lahore, he said.

The Punjab government is building a state-of-the-art Jinnah Institute of Cardiology with a huge amount of more than Rs 18 billion. International level cardiac facilities will be provided to patients in this institution, he added.

Chairman Punjab Chief Minister’s Advisory Committee on Cardiology Dr. Farqad Alamgir said that the Punjab government is striving to increase the treatment facilities for patients suffering from heart diseases and provide the best medical facilities at their doorstep. The patients coming to this cardiology hospital will be provided with the best surgeons, operation theaters and treatment and care facilities, he said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026