MUHAMMAD SALEEM

LAHORE: A state-of-the-art treatment and rehabilitation centre in public sector for the addicts has been established here in the premises of the Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH).

This centre has been completed at a cost of Rs192.142 million, which is comprised of 100 beds and 10 cells. This centre would start functioning by June this year.

Punjab Minister for Specialized Health Care and Medical Education Kh. Salman Rafique inspected the newly constructed building of the centre at PIMH, here Friday.

Special Secretary Dr. Sajid Chohan, Additional Secretary Dr. Salman Shahid, Chief Executive PIMH Dr. Nasir Bhatti, senior officers of Communication and Works department and other administrative doctors attended the meeting.

Dr. Nasir Bhatti informed that the finance department has given approval for the 113 posts for the newly established centre while 40 posts would be sanctioned soon after making the criteria for the posts.

Salman Rafique directed the Special Secretary Health to approach the committee constituted for yardstick criteria in KEMU and the matter should be resolved immediately.

Dr. Nasir Bhatti informed that procurement process for medical equipment has already been completed and Rs38 million have been released. He informed that delivery of the most of the equipment have been received while the remaining would be completed by 31st May.

The Superintending Engineer and XEN of C&W informed that procurement process has been started for the purchase of 200 KVA generator, 400 KVA transformer and electric panel for the addicts centre.

Salman said that government is spending billions of rupees for the construction of the hospitals and state-of-the-art specialized health centres for providing best treatment facilities to the people. “This centre is the largest specialized institution in public sector for the treatment of addicts where free of cost treatment facilities would be provided to the patients,” he said.

Moreover, while chairing a meeting of the Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority, Salman said that necessary steps are being taken to re-activate the Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority (PBTA).

All the Chief Executive Officers of Health have been delegated powers for inspection of blood banks in their districts and they will all furnish monthly reports regarding their visits to the blood banks of public as well as private sector, he said.