Khawaja Salman inaugurates Oral & Maxillofacial Department of Mayo Hospital

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Kh. Salman Rafique has said that Oral and Maxillofacial surgery departments would be established in all government teaching hospitals in phases. He said that those hospitals would be preferred where dentistry departments presently existing.

He said this, while addressing inaugural ceremony of renovation / upgradation of Oral & Maxillofacial Department of Mayo Hospital, today. United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has provided Rs.30 million for this project. Commissioner Afghan Refugees Ch. Riaz Ahmed, DG Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Prof. Riaz Waraich, MS Dr. Amjad Shahzad, Dr. Nabeela and other doctors of the department were attended the ceremony. Commissioner Afghan Refugees Ch. Riaz said that UNHCR has provided Rs.30 million for upgradation and renovation of the department. He said that new equipment would also be provided to the department. He further said that Commissionerate of Afghan Refugees would provide additional funds for Oral and Maxillofacial Department.

Earlier, Head of the Department Prof. Riaz Waraich informed that Mayo Hospital is the only institution where treatment of Oral cancer and Maxillofacial surgery is being conducted. He said that the injured of accidents and bomb blast are referred to this department for treatment and surgery. He said that with a very limited resources, Oral and Maxillofacial Department of the hospital producing good result. He said that the patients from all over the country and even from Afghanistan brought to this hospital for treatment. He said that 168 FCPS specialist doctors have been produced by the Department which are performing their duties in Pakistan and abroad. Commissioner Afghan Refugees Ch. Riaz further said that the project would be executed through a well reputed NGO “Courage Development Foundation”. However, a committee headed by Medical Superintendent of Mayo Hospital has also been constituted to supervise the development work and other activities.

Kh. Salman Rafique said that health is a very vast sector and despite all government efforts, all needs could not be fulfilled without active cooperation of International Development Partners and philanthropists. He directed the DG Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz and Prof. Riaz Waraich to come up with recommendations to start Oral and Maxillofacial Departments in other hospitals. He said that these recommendations would be sent to the health department to include in the ADP of new fiscal year.

Kh. Salman Rafique said that Mayo Hospital has very heavy work load which should be distributed among other teaching hospitals. DG Health also addressed the function and gave a detailed briefing regarding the history of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery department of Mayo Hospital which was established 25 years back.