RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday ordered establishment of an integrated health system in Murree and Galiyat besides setting up a helipad and an airstrip to shift patients from the hilly areas to cities in case of an emergency.

She issued these directions during a visit to Samli Syed Mohammad Hussain Government TB Sanatorium Hospital in Murree.

The chief minister inspected the OPD, wards and other sections of the hospital and inquired about the treatment of patients.

She directed to fully functionalise the mother and child block, stressing the need to undertake prompt measures for the appointment of doctors and staff along with establishing their residences.

She ordered to establish general wards and a latest cardiac block in the hospital. “An oncology unit along with medicine, surgery, urology, ortho, eye and ENT wards should also be established at the hospital,” she added.

The chief minister also visited the TB ward and inquired after each and every patient.

She expressed her satisfaction over the arrangements and treatment facilities at the sanatorium hospital. The chief minister was given a briefing about the hospital.

MNA Osama Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, MPA Bilal Yameen Sati, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman and other officials were also present on the occasion.

Parking plazas to be constructed

Punjab Minister for Transport Bilal Akbar Khan said parking plazas will be constructed in Murree soon, and the Punjab government will take all possible measures to facilitate tourists. Besides, the appointment of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) secretary will also be made in Murree.

Mr Khan expressed these views on his visit to Murree on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He was accompanied by Secretary Transport Punjab Ahmed Javed Qazi.

Deputy Commissioner Murree Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi and Assistant Commissioner Murree retired Captain Abdul Wahab Khan briefed the minister regarding traffic and parking issues.

The minister visited the proposed sites for parking and the general bus stand and discussed the problems regarding the bus stand with the transporters.

Mr Khan noted that after the construction of parking plazas in Murree, traffic load will reduce in the are.

The Punjab government will take all measures to facilitate tourists. Besides, action will be taken against illegal bus stands in Murree, the minister said, adding steps were being taken to provide quality travel facilities in Murree.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2024