ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the government is determined to provide modern healthcare facilities free of any charges to the deserving patients from across the country.

Addressing a groundbreaking ceremony of Jinnah Medical Complex here on Sunday, the prime minister said the complex was going to be the region’s one of the best medical centres where deserving people would get 100 per cent free medical treatment.

“This is the gift of the coalition government not only for the residents of the Rawalpindi and Islamabad, but for the people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan as well,” PM Shehbaz said.

Once completed, he added, the medical complex would offer the world’s best healthcare facilities with various sections for diseases related to heart, kidneys, lungs, cancer and others.

Alleges PKLI destroyed by conspiracy, handed over to health dept

Furthermore, he said a modern first aid emergency section would also be established at the hospital with the facility of air ambulance service for patients belonging to remote areas.

He said the nursing schools and laboratories would also be established in the hospital and the deserving patients would avail 100 per cent test facility free of cost.

‘PKLI destroyed’

The prime minister said this was the same model that Nawaz Sharif had launched in the shape of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI), which provided free treatment to the general public, as access to education and healthcare facilities is the right of every Pakistani. He said that PKLI was not only the best hospital in Pakistan but also in South Asia.

“However, a conspiracy was hatched to destroy this project. The board of PKLI hospital consisted of capable individuals, but it was dissolved and the hospital was handed over to the health department, removing it from the trust,” the PM regretted.

On the occasion, he specifically thanked HBL Chairman Sultan Ali Allana and Prince Rahim Aga Khan for providing technical consultancy support for the project. He paid tribute the decades-long services of the Aga Khan Foundation for the country.

He directed the authorities concerned to complete the project within a year. “Although one year is a challenging deadline for the huge project but with determination and hard work, it is possible.” He also issued directives the relevant authorities to ensure work on the project round the clock to meet the deadline, while assuring them that there would be no funding problems.

The PM also expressed his gratitude to the Islamabad chief commissioner for arranging the land for the project.

Health Coordinator Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, MNAs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Hanif Abbasi and Raja Khurrum Nawaz also spoke. Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar was present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2024