Legal complications bring mega hospital construction to halt

Work discontinued when previous govt refused to issue security clearance to foreign workers

JHANG: A mega construction project in the health sector has come to a halt despite the clear directives of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar to complete the work within six months.

The measures taken by a foreign company for the construction of a multi-storey, multipurpose hospital at the site of the hospital of chest diseases in Jhang, known as TB hospital, are creating impediments in the way of the incumbent government to press ahead with construction work.

The legal complications have created hindrances for the health department officials to go ahead with the work, despite clear directives from the chief minister to construct the building within six months. The previous government was offered by the Iranian government to construct a state-of-the-art hospital comprising cardiology, orthopaedic, urology and pediatric units, at the site of an already existing TB hospital, adjacent to Jhang DHQ hospital.

The Punjab government agreed to the proposal and the construction work of the modern hospital began at the said location. The construction work was discontinued two years ago when the previous provincial government, and the previous local administration, reportedly refused to give security clearance to engineers and workers of a foreign construction company.

At the start of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government’s tenure, Member of Provincial Assembly Muavia Azam Tariq expressed his determination to complete the project, to provide the people of his constituency in Jhang and people of neighbouring districts, the best healthcare facilities.

Around eight months ago, on the occasion of the CM's visit to Jhang, the MPA offered support in the resumption of the project, to which the CM agreed.

The CM announced to complete the project and make it functional within the next six months. Unfortunately, the announcement brought no results as construction work has not started.

Several irregularities were found in the construction of the project, allegedly committed by the previous government, such as the lack of regular funds transfer records for the construction of the hospital, The Express Tribune learnt. Reportedly, only initial funds were transferred to Pakistan through banks whereas all subsequent funding was made through unofficial financial transactions.

Sources added that these matters were discussed in a meeting presided by Punjab health secretary at the direction of the CM. The participants of the meeting extensively discussed the issue of illegal transfer of funds to Pakistan at a higher rate than the official government rate and the default in the disbursement of Rs45 million to the contractor by the foreign construction company. The meeting concluded that the problems discussed were mainly responsible for thwarting the construction work on the project.

The old TB hospital was demolished 15 years ago to reconstruct a new multi-department hospital to treat not only TB but various other diseases. However, the failure to implement the mega project, offered by the Iranian government, has deprived the locals of health facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2020.