Festivity all around: The joy of sharing makes for a perfect Eid, says Shahbaz

CM visits distributes gifts among patients at Children Hospital

LAHORE: “Sharing the joys of Eid with those in distress is the real spirit of the feast. Those blessed with resources should share those with less-privileged people,” Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said during his visit to Children Hospital on Eid on Wednesday.

The chief minister also distributed Eid gifts among the patients. He inquired after the health of patients and issued some instructions to doctors regarding their treatment. He prayed for their early recovery.

The chief minister visited several wards and extended Eid greetings to patients and their attendants. He ordered that sanitary staff wear uniforms. He said the administration must ensure that everything was in order at the hospital. Soaps and hand sanitisers should be available at toilets at the hospital, he said.

Sharif praised doctors, nurses and paramedical staff for serving the ailing during Eid holidays. “I am pleased to see doctors, nurses and paramedical staff looking after the ailing children. There is a great spirit of service,” he said. He said he was satisfied with healthcare facilities at the hospital. He said Children Hospital was the best of its kind in the country. It offers services to children suffering from various diseases. However, he said, there was still room for improvement.

He assured the hospital administration that steps would be taken to further raise the standards at the hospital. “The message of Eidul Fitr is unity. In view of the internal and external challenges we face, it is our collective responsibility to work hard for progress in the country.”

Sharif said he believed that national unity was the only way for the country’s development. “Eid demands that all segments of the society pledge to serve the country with honesty, hard work and commitment. We cannot afford to waste time… the society should strive for national development and prosperity,” the chief minister said.

He said the spirit of Eid was to forge unity and share the joy and avoid divisive behaviour. “No one should try and divide the nation – no one in the government, no one in the opposition,” he said.

Sharif said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in good health and would return to Pakistan soon. Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafiq, Health Secretary Najam Ahmad Shah and DCO Muhammad Usman were also present on the occasion.

The chief minister earlier offered Eid prayers in Model Town where he exchanged greetings with other citizens. He prayed for the development, prosperity and stability of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2016.