Shahbaz Sharif attends the first convocation of the University of Health Sciences

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Punjab government has given the biggest and record budget for the provision of best treatment facilities to the people in the history of the province and development of health sector during current financial year which reflects the determination of the government for the provision of quality treatment facilities to the people.

He said that medical is a noble profession and the people associated with it are great messiah for the ailing humanity. He said that the doctors have to serve the ailing humanity with commitment and spirit.

The Chief Minister said that Pakistani doctors are highly talented and able who have proved their capabilities abroad. No doubt, our doctors, paramedical staff and nurses are very competent who have the spirit of serving ailing humanity but despite it, we are lagged behind in the healthcare services, he added. Shehbaz Sharif said it is high time that we should jointly evolve an effective strategy for the improvement of medical facilities and ensure its implementation.

He said that no effort will be spared for improving health facilities in Punjab in consultation with   the people associated with health sector. He said that Provincial Health Department will take lead in provision of best and quality medical facilities and this great objective will be achieved through collective efforts and wisdom.

He expressed these views while addressing the first convocation of the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, at Shams Auditorium, today. Advisor on Health Kh. Salman Rafique, Vice Chancellor of University Gen. (Retd.) Dr. Muhammad Aslam, Board of Governors of the University, vice chancellors of various universities, principals of medical colleges, doctors, a large number of male and female students and their parents participated in the convocation.

Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif in his address said that it is a matter of pleasure and honour for him to attend the first convocation of the University of Health Sciences. He said that this University is playing an important role in the promotion of medical education and Punjab government will extend complete cooperation for the completion of Kala Shah Kaku campus and other projects of the university and all out resources will be provided in this regard. He said that Punjab government is taking solid measures for the uplift of health sector.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab government has taken effective measures for the improvement of medical facilities in hospitals, availability of medicines, doctors, up-gradation of rural and basic health centers. He said that the country like Kuba has achieved significant place in health services all over the world and example of Iran is also before us but what is the reason that despite availability of best and capable doctors, there is no substantial improvement in healthcare services in Pakistan.

He said, no doubt, our doctors have proved their mettle in health sector in Britain, North America, Middle East, Europe and other countries but non-improvement in health services in Pakistan is a matter of ponder.

Shahbaz Sharif said that there is no lack of resources in Punjab. He said that work is being carried out on the projects of billions of rupees for providing best transport facilities to the people and energy projects for removing darkness from the country. He said that the biggest budget of the history of the province was given for the improvement of health sector which has no example in the past.

He lamented over non-achievement of desired results despite provision of resources of billions of rupees for the uplift of health sector. He said that we have to find answer of this question and evolve a strategy jointly for achieving the desired results. He said that a roadmap has to be evolved for ensuring desired results in consultation with the people associated with health sector in this regard.

The Chief Minister said that the gulf between rich and poor cannot be reduced without improving health services. He said that if education, health and other basic amenities are not available to the common-man, Pakistan cannot be called a welfare state in the real sense and the country of Quaid-e-Azam and Iqbal. He said that service to this country is a debt and obligation of us all, therefore, politicians, people associated with medical profession and the personalities associated with other sectors have to return this debt by serving the country selflessly. He said that Punjab had faced worst dengue virus in 2010 but our people associated with health sector and other institutions faced this virus with hard work, courage and determination and defeated it.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the experts of Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia who had come Pakistan to guide us for fighting with dengue successfully desire to learn from our experiences.

Similarly, we have to work with the spirit like fighting with dengue and will have to march forward for the improvement of public health facilities. He said that the common man has full right over quality medical facilities and we have to provide them this right collectively. He said that we can change the course of history by working with the same spirit, hard work and determination and healthcare services can be improved in the province. He said although this is the difficult job yet not impossible.

The Chief Minister said that we can bring a revolution in health sector in consultation with health experts. He appealed to the people associated with health sector to come forward and provide guidance and consultation for the uplift and health care services. Vice Chancellor of University of Health Sciences Gen. Retd. Dr. Muhammad Aslam in his welcome address threw light in detail on the projects and educational activities of the University.

The Chief Minister distributed certificates, degrees and medals among those who have completed the courses. Vice Chancellor of the University also presented the souvenir of the University to the Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.