First phase of PKLI to be inaugurated

CM says Punjab government has built this state of the art public health facility from its own resources

A lackadaisical attitude exists towards food safety, Ayesha Mumtaz says. PHOTO: REUTERS

LAHORE:
Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the first phase of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) on Monday (December 25) while second and third phases of the project will be inaugurated during the first quarter of 2018.

Addressing participants of the International Food Safety and Nutrition Seminar on Wednesday, Sharif said that it was first of its kind public hospital in South Asia that will provide free treatment to kidney and liver patients. Punjab government has built this state of the art public health facility from its own resources, he added.

During current financial year, he highlighted, the government has provided grants of Rs1.5 billion to poor and needy patients for their treatment abroad. However, after completion of all three phases of the hospital, kidney and liver patient will get world class treatment in their own country, he added.


Sharif highlighted that the Punjab government had provided over Rs2.7 billion to the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) during current fiscal to ensure provision of safe and healthy food to citizens. The government was committed to providing maximum resources to the provincial food watchdog so it can effectively implement food safety standards and regulation across Punjab.

People who have resources can afford and enjoy good quality food but low income and marginal segments of society were the main victims of adulteration and substandard food products, he said. “Now the government has decided to curb this menace from society,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2017.
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