Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman has said that huge resources are being spent on the rapid development of the province, promotion of quality education, elimination of ignorance and unemployment as well as provision of prompt and inexpensive justice to the masses.
He stated this while speaking to a delegation of doctors and party workers here on Monday. He said the Punjab government is establishing state-of-the-art medical institutes for the provision of latest healthcare facilities at cheaper rates, even free of cost to the deserving patients. He said that government's focus is on the launching of high tech hospitals for the treatment of fatal and complicated diseases, and a modern Institute of Neuro Sciences is being established at a cost of Rs 2.74 billion in two phases.
"Institute of Neuro Sciences will provide opportunities for the promotion of neurosurgery in Punjab as well as training and updating the knowledge of doctors. Moreover, 50 acres of land at Berki Road and required funds are being provided for construction of state-of-the-art Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute," he added.
The Minister stressed upon the doctors community for launching massive awareness campaign for sensitising the people about hazardous aspects of smoking with a view to prevent TB, heart, lungs, bronchitis and various types of lungs cancer. He said it is high time for promoting social mobilisation against smoking, TB and cancer. "Billions of rupees are being wasted on smoking annually, which is major cause of chronic diseases," he added.
According to him, the government is focusing for the treatment of chronic and fatal diseases. By increasing the health budget, the present government has ensured modern health facilities and free medicines to the poor and resource-less people.
"Special attention is being paid to the provision of best treatment facilities to the people of far-flung areas, especially remote areas of South Punjab, and one billion rupees has been provided for mobile health units," he added. He said the government is encouraging NGOs as well as educational institutions for organising awareness events against fatal diseases.
"The government has provided additional budget for the provision of health services in Punjab. With a cost of four billion rupees health insurance card will be issued so that to provide state of the art healthcare facilities even in private health institutions to the poor cardholder patients. Moreover, 600 million rupees has been reserved for dialysis facilities to the poor kidney patients," he added.
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