Bilateral ties: Turkey to help improve healthcare in Punjab

Shahbaz says Turkey’s enemies are Pakistan’s enemies

LAHORE: Turkey has agreed to cooperate with the Punjab government for the uplift of healthcare system across the province.

The provincial Health Department and the Turkish health ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard at a ceremony in Istanbul on Friday. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest on the occasion. Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag was also present. Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and Eyup Gumus signed the agreement.

Under the MoU, the Turkish health ministry will share its experiences and expertise for the improvement of public health facilities across the Punjab. The Public Health Institute of Turkey will provide technical assistance for introducing reforms and for the modernisation of the Institute of Public Health Punjab. The two sides will also cooperate for the safe disposal of hospital waste and sterilisation, disinfection and infection control at health facilities. Expertise with regard to controlling Congo fever virus will also be shared.

“The agreement will prove a milestone in the provision of modern healthcare facilities to the people of Punjab,” the chief minister said. He said the people across the province would benefit from the health facilities.

MNAs Pervaiz Malik and Shaista Pervaiz Malik and Khwaja Ahmed Hassaan also attended the ceremony. Earlier, speaking to Recep Akdag, the chief minister paid tributes to the Turkish people and their leaders for foiling a military coup bid last month. “The enemies of Turkey are Pakistan’s enemies and the enemies of [Turkish President] Recep Tayyip Erdogan are enemies of Shahbaz Sharif,” he said.

The Turkish minister said the people of Turkey acknowledged the role of Muslims from the subcontinent for the freedom struggle of Turkey. He said Pakistani leaders and the government had expressed solidarity with the Turkish government and people during the coup attempt. He said Pakistan’s was the first parliament to have condemned the coup bid. “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif extended full support to Turkish leaders and people at the difficult time. We are thankful to them for that.”

Recep Akdag said the hearts of people in Pakistan and Turkey beat together.

Cabinet Committee on Floods

The chief minister on Friday addressed via video link from Istanbul a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Floods. He reviewed the situation following the recent rains in several cities, including Lahore, and measures adopted for the disposal of rainwater.

He directed the committee to remain vigilant during the monsoon season.

Sharif directed that officials from the agencies concerned and elected representatives remain alert to respond to problems faced by people. He said all-out resources should be utilised for draining rainwater.

The chief minister expressed sorrow over the death of a girl in a roof collapse in Manawan and of one from an electric shock in Sabzazar.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2016.