HARIPUR: Provincial communication and works minister Akbar Ayub Khan on Saturday said the Haripur trauma centre would become operational next week to the relief of patients from the region.

Addressing the launching ceremony of the first annual bulletin of the district headquarters hospital here, the minister said the establishment of trauma centre in Haripur was one of his top priorities.

He said the trauma centre’s opening would end the referral of emergency patients from the region to other cities.

The minister said the reconstruction of Dhenda Road leading to the DHQ would also begin next week.

He said the government was making all-out efforts to ensure provision of the best possible healthcare to people in the province and that more reforms in the health sector were on the cards for the purpose.

Mr Akbar said besides filling vacancies of doctors, the government was also ensuring the establishment of modern operation theatres and staff hostels at health facilities to further the cause of healthcare in the province.

“Our government has fulfilled its promises by bringing about improvement in the health system, including an end to political interference in the affairs of hospitals,” he said.

The minister asked doctors, paramedics and other staff members of hospitals to ensure the best possible patient care on the premises. He warned that strict action would be taken against the doctors found involved in referring patients to private hospitals during own duty hours in DHQ hospitals and BHUs.

Earlier DHQ Hospital medical superintendent Dr Saifullah Khalid said the treatment of breast cancer had begun on the premises, while a fully-fledged ward would be in place by the end of the current year for such patients.

He said the bulletin covered the activities and plans of the hospital.

Meanwhile, the 10th death anniversary of Lance Naik Mohammad Nazakat was observed in his village, Siriya, here on Saturday. Mr Nazakat was martyred on March 9, 2009, when he was on duty in Sui area of Balochistan.

Quran Khwani was held in the fallen soldier’s his house, while his family and friends visited his grave and offered Fateh for his soul.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2019