SAHIWAL: Punjab Minister for Usher and Zakat Malik Nadeem Kamran says the Punjab government will provide Rs3.5 billion grant for the upgrade of the district headquarters (DHQ) hospital while it has already provided Rs400 million.

He stated this while inaugurating the upgrade project of the gynecological ward of Haji Abdul Qayyum Hospital. The upgrade was financed by the non-government organisation, Human Welfare Society.

The minister said the DHQ hospital had been affiliated with the Sahiwal Medical College (SMC) since 2012 but the Punjab government had not released full funds (for its upgrade). Presently, he said, the DHQ hospital was a 480-bed hospital which had a low capacity as compared to the need of divisional headquarters. That’s why it was attached with the SMC so that it could be upgraded and fulfill the requirements of the catchment area, he said adding: “Rs 3.5 billion has been approved which will be released in the coming two years.”

Haji Abdul Qayyum Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Abdul Waheed said they lacked paramedics and doctors but still they were treating around 600-800 patients in OPD and emergencies daily. He demanded the government increase its capacity to 300 beds. The inauguration ceremony was also attended by MNA Pir Imran Shah, Ch Sardar Ali, Ch Hashmat Ali, Dr Shagufta Tahir, Imran Idrees Chaudhry and Sajid Naeem Hippy.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2015