GUJRAT: The Punjab minister for health on Tuesday conferred degrees on at least 103 doctors who graduated from the Gujranwala Medical College (GMC) in its 8th convocation.

Former federal minister Khurram Dastgir Khan and members of the assembly were also present on the occasion. So far, 893 students have completed their graduation from the GMC.

Ahmar Arif secured the first position and won nine medals. Usama Waheed secured the second position. Muhammad Mudassar secured the third position. Hoorul Ain, Mashal Mushtaq and Mahnoor also secured prominent positions.

Speaking at the occasion, Health Minister Salman Rafique said all the graduates worked hard to achieve success and also congratulated the graduates. He said the Punjab government was focused on the health sector as 1,000 new doctors and 3,000 nurses were being recruited in the province whereas 1,200 consultants would be hired.

“A cancer hospital is being built at a cost of Rs82bn. Children’s heart surgery, clinic on wheels, home delivery of medicines to heart patients have been started by the government of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.”

The minister added that the establishment of GMC was a challenge which the then CM Shehbaz Sharif had accepted and today this institution had become exemplary.

He also visited the teaching hospital and MS Dr Nayyar Imran gave him a briefing. Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Health Sciences Dr Nadia and Principal Professor Iqbal Dogar also spoke.

Khawaja Salman Rafique inaugurated the mortuary, CT scan and MRI machines.

He said the launch of mortuary, modern CT scan and MRI machines in GMC was a welcome move as these machines would facilitate thousands of patients.

“According to the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, efforts are being made to provide the best health facilities to the people,” the health minister added.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2024