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LAHORE, Jan 15 (APP):Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has acknowledged the growing challenge of providing health facilities to a population of 130 million, emphasizing the need for collaboration between the government and think tanks to address this issue.
Speaking as a special guest at a seminar on “Governance Leadership in Healthcare Management” held at the Institute of Public Health on Wednesday, the minister highlighted the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services across the province.
In his address, Khawaja Salman Rafique stated that the Ministry of Health is not about comfort but about serving humanity. He praised the efforts of professors, doctors, and nurses who continue to shoulder the responsibility of public health. He further stressed that the government has ensured 100 per cent merit-based postings for medical superintendents in the past ten months. The minister also pointed out ongoing improvements in the curriculum of medical colleges and the establishment of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research in Lahore, a state-of-the-art facility aimed at enhancing cancer care.
The minister congratulated Professor Saira Afzal, Dean of the Institute of Public Health, for organizing the seminar and expressed hope that the institute would flourish under her leadership. He also inaugurated several projects at the Institute of Public Health and reviewed the progress of its revamping initiative.
Former health minister Professor Javed Akram, who attended as a guest of honor, emphasized that true leaders create more leaders, not followers. He stressed the importance of the Institute of Public Health becoming a center of excellence, especially as Pakistan approaches becoming the third most populous country in the world.
The Dean outlined the seminar’s objectives and expressed gratitude to the attendees. The event featured speeches by renowned experts, including Professor Mahmood Ayaz, Professor Majeed Chaudhry, Professor Akhtar Sohail Chughtai, and others, who shared insights on healthcare governance and leadership.
Notable attendees included robotic surgeon and Vice-Chancellor of King Edward Medical University Professor Mahmood Ayaz, Additional Secretary Technical Dr. Muhammad Waseem, CEO of Punjab Healthcare Commission Dr. Saqib Aziz, and representatives from the World Health Organization, alongside journalists, faculty members, and a large number of men and women.