PESHAWAR, Aug 31: The NWFP government is considering setting up a ‘medical city’ to provide various facilities, including accommodation at subsidised rates, to the people visiting the provincial capital for medical treatment.

A proposal regarding the project, formulated by the NWFP Local Government and Rural Development Department (LG&RDD), has been sent to Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani for further necessary action, an official told Dawn here on Friday.

Providing details of the project, the official said thousands of people came to the provincial capital daily from far flung areas for getting medical treatment.

Most of such people often have to spend many days here because of necessary investigations, but there is no arrangement for their stay except one inn run by the Khyber Teaching Hospital.

As a result, patients and their attendants have to acquire rooms in hotels and guest houses, burdening them financially, said the official.

Under the proposed project, buildings would be constructed in collaboration with the private sector in the Hayatabad Township, where a 25-kanal land is available.

The proposed ‘medical city’ would offer accommodation to patients and their attendants on nominal charges.

Besides having first-aid and emergency care it would have referral services for the convenience of the patients.

Similarly, the ‘medical city’ would have a mobile service for transportation of patients to public- and private-sector hospitals, the official said.

The government has been requested to take on board the Tanzeem-lessail-wal-Mahroom — an organisation launched with the chief minister’s blessings for the welfare of the destitute, the official added.