RAWALPINDI: Under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Clean and Green Pakistan campaign, gardens and spaces surrounding government hospitals and health centres in Rawalpindi will be converted into Natural Air Filter Spots.

Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) will assist in accomplishing this task.

These views were expressed by PHA Vice Chairman Malik Abid Hussain while inspecting parks and open spaces in the vicinity of District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital. He was accompanied by Chief Minister’s Complaint Cell Chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Zubair, Medical Superintendent Dr Farzana Zafar along with other senior officials.

Ms Zafar briefed Mr Hussain and Mr Zubair about ongoing development and construction work in the hospital and took them on a round.

Mr Hussain asked the medical superintendent to make sure that spaces around the hospital are turned lush green, adding: “PHA will extend all out help to accomplish this noble cause.”

Trees are vital for human health, he said, adding corridors inside the hospital should be lined with flowers as there is no better substitute than plants that will help sick people in recovering.

“All government hospitals and health centres will be renovated in natural green style to transform their open gardens and surrounding spaces into ‘Natural Air Filter Spots’ so that the environment of these hospitals can be made healing and refreshing while enhancing beauty of the city,” he said, adding this noble deed will to be done with the help of philanthropists.

Mr Zubair said a green environment in hospital will not only help patients recover faster but create environmental awareness among people.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2021