LAHORE, Dec 24: The Punjab government will establish a women medical college in Multan.

This was said by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while speaking at the 9th convocation of the Allama Iqbal Medical College here on Tuesday.

Shahbaz was not formally invited to the function, but his arrival took the organisers by surprise.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the federal government was providing full support to the provinces in healthcare projects. He said trhe healthcare delivery system was being improved in the country.

He said doctors, paramedics, medicines, equipment and buildings were being provided to basic health units (BHUs) under the Prime Minister Initiative Programme (PMIP) to facilitate the rural population.

A project under the PMIP was also under way to control hepatitis caused by used syringes, blood transfusion and contaminated water throughout the country. He said the federal government required provincial cooperation to evolve a joint strategy to fight hepatitis.

The prime minister said the PPP government was primarily focusing on health and education sectors.

Congratulating the fresh MBBS graduates, he asked them to serve the ailing humanity especially those living in rural areas because of their little access to healthcare facilities.

Gilani appreciated the AIMC’s performance and services in the health sector and also the efforts of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in this regard.

He also directed the Pakistan Baitul Maal to immediately release funds for the construction of a burn unit in Jinnah Hospital.

Shahbaz Sharif said a women medical college in Multan, the hometown of Mr Gilani, would largely facilitate the female students in southern districts of Punjab. He said the government was spending huge funds on the provision of free healthcare and education facilities in the province. The promotion of health and education sectors would help produce an energetic and educated society having ability to resolve all the problems including economic, security and law and order.

AIMC principal Prof Javed Akram presented the welcome address. He urged the government to attach the health facilities of one district of Punjab with the Jinnah Hospital\AIMC so that it could help improve the healthcare facilities there.