PESHAWAR, Nov 7: Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah laid the foundation-stone for a 120-bed Women and Children Hospital at the site of the defunct Roadways House on Thursday. The project is expected to cost Rs94 million.

The hospital will have three operation theatres and as many labour rooms apart from other modern facilities.

The governor welcomed the cooperation and funds provided by the Commissionerate of Afghan Refugees in materializing the project and desired that efforts must be made to complete it at the earliest.

Appreciating the achievements of the local government system in a short span, the governor hoped that the new provincial and federal governments would patronize the system so that it can continue working for mitigating the people’s problems at the local level.

The district Nazim, Azam Afridi, said the hospital would not only meet the healthcare requirements but would also offer training and educational opportunities to Afghan doctors and paramedics.

Giving a briefing, Malik Saad, the director-general of CD and MD, said that it would be a complete hospital where separate OPD facilities for women and children, wards, laboratories, and X-plants would be made available. Also, he added, a hostel for 20 doctors would be constructed on the hospital premises.

Among others, the function was attended by the commissioner of Afghan refugees, Mushtaq Alizai.

The Roadways House was constructed in 1954 to house the defunct GTS. It was being utilized by the private transporters till the recent past when it became a constant source of pollution and traffic hazard in the city.