LAHORE, April 11: Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool on Thursday ordered the shifting of the de’Montmorency College of Dentistry to a new campus in Jauhar Town.

The governor also directed to arrange for teaching of six basic sciences to its students in the Yakki Gate Hospital as a stop gap arrangement.

He asked the officials concerned to use operation theatres of the Yakki Gate Hospital for the Maxillo-Facial (jaw bone) surgery till the completion of the new campus. He said the existing building of the college would continue to be used for the students’ technical training and postgraduate classes.

Meanwhile, students apprehended they might have to face ordeal with the step.

To a question, he said the project might take 10 years for its completion. ‘I don’t know the technicalities. Please seek explanation from the people concerned.’

Addressing the students, he announced the creation of five each posts of professors and associate professors and three of assistant professors in the college, claiming these would be filled on a contract strictly on merit.

The new campus would be built over a 48-acre tract in Jauhar Town, he added.

He directed the authorities concerned to start constructing college hostels at 16 acres at the new site after preparing the building plan and other necessary documents within two weeks. Dental surgery departments, clinical laboratories and lecture theatres would be constructed at the remaining land, he said.

Mr Maqbool underscored the need for concentrating on the treatment of dental diseases which, he said, was vital for the health of the people.

He maintained access to the latest health facilities was the basic right of the people which should be given at affordable price.

He said he had taken a serious view of the lack of medicines at some district headquarter hospitals in the province and directed the administrations to utilize funds for provision of free medicines to the people.

It would be ensured to put in order all electro-medical gadgets for the investigation and treatment of complicated diseases in all the autonomous teaching hospitals, he assured.