GUJRAT: The district administration has planned to establish a children’s hospital here as a public-private partnership project for which a suitable location may be earmarked by the administration and funds provided by local philanthropists.

The decision to initiate this project was taken at a meeting of the board of governors of the Kidney Centre presided over by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa where some philanthropists also expressed their desire to donate for the hospital.

The meeting constituted a two-member committee comprising Assistant Commissioner (Headquarters) Waqar Hussain Khan and Shahdaula’s Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmed to start the initial work, particularly look for a location.

A senior officer told Dawn that the children’s hospital had been a major demand of the locals. Initially, the project was planned to be established somewhere along the main GT road in Pabbi forest area between Kharian and Sara-i-Alamgir, but later through consultation with philanthropists, it was decided that any site close to the old GT road passing through Gujrat city or GT road bypass should be considered for it.

Chaudhry Ijaz, a committee member, told Dawn that at least three sites would be pointed out as an initial proposal for the project, including his own piece of land measuring three acre in Dheerkey village along bypass road. The land was located on a link road attached to the main highway and he could donate it for the project in case it was not selected, adding that he and his family would provide financial resources.

Ijaz further said that the local business fraternity had a great potential to invest in the well-being of locals.

Assistant Commissioner Khan said that the committee had already launched a search for the site and the first donors conference for the project could be convened prior to the Ramazan.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2017