Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif has said that medical graduates can be of no benefit to the country unless they help provide modern treatment facilities to the poor masses of far-flung and backward areas. He said that doctors should serve the ailing humanity with commitment for realising the dream of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.
He was addressing the first convocation of Shaikh Zayed Medical College in Rahim Yar Khan on Wednesday. Vice Chancellor University of Health Sciences Dr Mubashar awarded degrees to the students. Addressing the convocation, the Chief Minister said that it is lamentable that poor people of far-flung areas of the provinces as well as the country are still deprived of healthcare.
He said that new graduates have stepped into practical life and they are the custodian of the future. He said that the nation has high hopes of its young generation as it can regain the lost status of the country. He said that it is unfortunate that the talent of the poor children is wasted in streets. He said that Punjab government has set up Punjab Educational Endowment Fund with a sum of Rs four billion for providing free education to poor but talented students at prestigious educational institutions.
He said that arrangements have also been made for the education of poor children at the leading private educational institutions. He said that government has decided to get fresh medical graduates enrolled in the best universities of the world and Punjab government will bear all expenses for this purpose. He said that government has also decided to set up five mobiles health units at a cost of Rs 45 crore. He said that these mobile units would be equipped with latest treatment facilities as well as services of qualified doctors and paramedical staff.
He said that three mobile health units have been allocated for Bahawalpur. The Chief Minister announced that a hospital will be set up in Rahim Yar Khan at a cost of Rs 30 crore which will be administered by a trust. He said that a sum of Rs 4.75 billion would be spent on the second phase of Sheikh Zayed Medical College. He said that government has provided air-conditioners in hospitals at a cost of Rs two billion while arrangements have been made for the provision of medicines up to district hospitals level.
He said that government has provided dialyses facility to patients by importing dialysis machines by air. He asked doctors to co-operate with the government in evolving such a system, which could ensure treatment facilities to the poor people of remote areas. The Chief Minister announced house jobs for the medical graduates and one month salary as bonus to the non-medical staff. Earlier, Principal of the college Dr Muhammd Saeed presented address of welcome. The Chief Minister also gave away prizes and medals to position-holder students.