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LAHORE, Jan 31 (APP): Punjab Minister for Health Khawaja Salman Rafique on Saturday said that possessing strong leadership qualities is essential for Medical Superintendents (MSs) to ensure effective hospital administration and delivery of quality healthcare services.
He was addressing the concluding ceremony of the first batch of the Initial Career Course in Healthcare Management and the swearing-in ceremony of the second batch at the Institute of Public Health (IPH), where he attended as the chief guest.
Congratulating the organizers on successfully holding the event, the provincial health minister said that the Punjab government is committed to reforms in the health sector and has removed malicious elements from hospitals without any pressure. He said billions of rupees are allocated annually for hospitals, adding that modern medical machinery is being provided while shortages of human resources are being addressed on a priority basis.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said that patients visiting hospitals regard doctors as their messiahs, and healthcare professionals must serve the nation with dedication and a sense of responsibility for the dignity of the homeland. He added that the health system is being improved in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The minister further stated that Medical Superintendents are being appointed strictly on 100 percent merit, without any recommendations, and complete transparency is being ensured to strengthen the healthcare system. He emphasized that improvement of the health sector is the top priority of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Highlighting future projects, he said the Punjab government is expanding a network of new hospitals across the province and will construct Asia’s largest Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore at a cost of Rs 74 billion to provide advanced cancer care to the people.
He also highlighted several flagship initiatives launched under the chief minister’s vision, including the Children’s Heart Surgery Program, Special Initiative for Transplant Program, Special Initiative for Cancer Patients, Special Initiative for Stroke Management Program, and Special Initiative for Dialysis Program, among others.
A question-and-answer session was also held during the ceremony, in which Khawaja Salman Rafique responded thoughtfully to queries from MSs and doctors undergoing training.
Special Secretary Operations, Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, Nabila Irfan, and Dean IPH Professor Saira Afzal were also present on the occasion. A large number of senior health professionals attended the ceremony, including Professor Syed Mulazim Hussain Bukhari, Principal General Hospital Professor Dr. Farooq Afzal, Dr. Fayyaz Ranjha, Dr. Tahir Khalil, Professor Dr. Saima Ayub, Fahad Abbasi, Professor Atiya Mubarak, Dr. Lava from Sri Lanka, MD Children’s Hospital Lahore Professor Tipu Sultan, MS Syed Mutha Hospital Dr. Aqeel, along with MSs, AMSs, and DMSs of various teaching hospitals.