NAROWAL, April 30: The government is spending Rs2.8 billion on the treatment of 1,500,00 blind people throughout the country under the national health programme. This was said by Federal Health Minister Chaudhry Naseer Ahmed Khan here on Sunday while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of an eye care unit at DHQ hospital.

He said a UK-based NGO — Sight Saver — was contributing a lot in this regard and the Rs4 million eye care unit at Narowal had also been set up with its support.

He said the NGO would also go door to door in Narowal and Muridke tehsils, examine eyes of the people and provide them with glasses.

The minister said work on the new building of the DHQ hospital would be started next month with a cost of Rs450 million. He asked the health EDO and the hospital’s medical superintendent to ensure supply of free medicines to all patients. He urged doctors and paramedical staff to be polite with patients and perform their duties with commitment.

District Nazim Dr Naimat Ali Javed, Narowal Tehsil Nazim Waseem Butt and scores of citizens were also present at the occasion.