MULTAN, Nov 2: The Multan Institute of Cardiology's (MIC) outpatient department (OPD) will start functioning from January, said Nishtar Medical College and Hospital Principal Executive Officer (PEO) Prof Dr Shabbir Ahmad Nasir on Monday.

Prof Nasir said work on the project was in full swing and expressed the hope that it would be fully functional before its stipulated period of 18 months.

The MIC would have all requisite state-of-the art facilities regarding treatment of the heart ailments and would cater to the needs of not only south Punjab but would also serve the patients of adjoining regions of the three provinces, he added.

The institute's first phase will have the facility of 150 beds and will require an investment of Rs750 million. The project with 300 beds will be completed with more than Rs1 billion. Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi is keen in getting this big health facility commissioned at the earliest. Funds have been made available for swift execution of the project.-APP