LAHORE: Dr Yasmin Rashid, Health Minister, Punjab, inaugurated the new Neonatology Unit built recently at the Mayo Hospital.
Among the attendees were Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal, Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the King Edward Medical University, Prof. Saqib Saeed, Medical Superintendent (MS) at the Mayo Hospital, Prof. Dr Mohammad Iftikhar, Dr Mampal Singh and other faculty members. The Health Minister visited the Neonatology Unit and reviewed the facilities there. Dr Iftikhar (MS) shared details of the facilities being provided by the unit.
"I congratulate and appreciate the VC, Dean, MS and other staff members for developing this state-of-the-art neonatology facility at Mayo Hospital. Prof. Dr Iftikhar and Prof. Dr Haroon played a pivotal role in this plan coming to fruition. I am also greatly thankful to the philanthropists who supported the setting up of this unit. May Allah Almighty accept their services towards humanity." said Dr Yasmin on the occasion.
"The unit was established at the cost of Rs. 10 million. Philanthropists deserve prayers as they have rendered outstanding service. We are signatory to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and two of the critical SDG targets are to reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). These two indicators require a lot of improvement as we are ranked below our neighbours." She elaborated.
"Pakistan is committed to reducing the MMR and IMR. Seven Mother and Child Care Hospitals are being set up in Punjab. The 650-bedded Ganga Ram Mother and Child hospital shall be completed by May 2022. Other hospitals are being established at Mianwali, Attock, Rajanpur, Multan, Layyah and Bahawalnagar." Dr Yasmin stated.
Paying tribute to Mayo Hospital, the Health Minister said it was always a charitable institution. "Mayo Hospital has been at the forefront during all epidemics and pandemics. They deserve great appreciation for serving Corona and Dengue patients. I have taught here for 14 years myself. Now the King Edward University has a good number of institutions attached to it. And these days, media is also educating people about health," the Health Minister added.
Later responding to media queries, Dr Yasmin Rashid said that the Mayo Hospital had been given a budget of Rs 9 million this year. She said the government had provided the maximum funding for health. She noted that COVID-19 patients were being treated in the North Medical Ward. The Minister added that benefactors of the hospital had prepared a 'master plan' for the healthcare facility. The Health Minister confirmed that the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) had been directed to ensure a flat Rs 90 for dengue test charges in private labs. She also revealed that the summary on hiring a new MS had been sent to the Chief Minister office.
450,000 people had been vaccinated in the last 24 hours, the Health Minister responded to a query. She said over 70% of the 40+ population had been vaccinated, and the Reach Every Door (RED) Program was being launched from Monday, under which another 20 million people will be vaccinated. She urged people to make maximum use of this RED facility.
She reported that over 40% of beds reserved for dengue were unoccupied, and she, along with the secretaries, was visiting the different units. The Minister added that a 280-bedded facility at Expo Center was being provided at the Dengue Field Hospital. She added that Noshirwan Burki was the convener of the Health Task Force constituted by the Prime Minister.
Dr Khalid, the VC, was grateful to everyone who attended and especially thanked all the doctors for contributing to the accomplishment of this endeavor.