LAHORE: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will provide necessary medical gadgets worth Rs22.7 million to Government Mian Munshi Hospital.

Afghan Refugees Commissioner Chaudhry Riaz and Lahore Health Executive District Officer (EDO) Dr Zulfiqar Ali signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard on Saturday.

According to a handout, Adviser on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique said earlier the UNHCR had also provided Rs30m for the renovation of maxillofacial ward at Mayo Hospital.

He said the cooperation of philanthropists and donors was of great importance in the development of the health sector.

Chaudhry Riaz assured that his institution would continue financial cooperation for improving performance of hospitals.

He said an amount of Rs30m would also be provided by the UNHCR for a trauma centre at Munshi Hospital.

He said there was a vast catchment area of Government Mian Munshi Hospital and a large number of Afghan Refugees were residing on Bund Road and other areas.

Earlier, Munshi Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Mohammad Amir said there was a shortage of doctors and nurses at his hospital. It also needed increase in its budget for medicines.

He said the medical equipment and other machines of the hospital were old. The funds would help replace these gadgets primarily, including an ultrasound machine, colour developer, digital X-ray, ECG machine, refrigerator, microscope, sucker machine, auto chemistry analyser, traction table with machine, dental unit, autoclave and other equipment.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2015

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