PESHAWAR:
Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the Institute of Cardiology and laid the foundation for the Hayatabad Sports Complex renovation project during his visit to Peshawar on Wednesday.
Addressing the cardiac facility’s inaugural ceremony, the premier congratulated the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government, terming the project’s completion a milestone for the province.
“There was a need for a specialised cardiac institute after the cardiac centre at the Lady Reading Hospital had to be closed down following unsatisfactory results,” PM Imran said.
Expressing confidence in the institute’s facilities, the premier said he believed the institute could also prove beneficial for patients from Afghanistan.
“Just like Shaukat Khanum, which was inaugurated in 2016 and served the entire region, it [Institute of Cardiology] would also prove to be a blessing for the people of the region,” the PM added.
The premier also congratulated the K-P government for deciding to provide health insurance to the people of the province. He said research proved that lower-income households begun spiralling into more poverty in trying to afford medical treatment.
“Unfortunately the ruling elite of this country never thought of the poor as they go abroad for their treatments,” the premier observed.
He said the health insurance card [Sehat Insaf Card] had revolutionised the healthcare system as it enabled people to seek treatment at both public and private hospitals.
The premier directed officials to ensure that the standard and quality of treatment at the cardiac facility was maintained. “I do not want the poor only visiting government hospitals for treatment. I want these hospitals to be at par with private hospitals,” he said.
Hayatabad Sports Complex
The premier also laid the foundation for the renovation project of the Hayatabad Sports Complex that includes the upgrading of the Hayatabad Cricket Stadium, a project being developed to revive international cricket in K-P.
The stadium would prove an additional venue for the province to host international cricket matches on.
Besides the stadium, the premier also inaugurated a fitness gym for women and a swimming pool.
During his visit to the sports complex, the premier was also briefed regarding the progress of construction work on the Arbab Niaz Stadium as well as hockey turfs in five districts of K-P and tartan tracks for athletes in four districts of the province.
Moreover, the prime minister also laid the foundation for a cricket stadium in Kalam and a grass cricket ground in Swat.
Speaking of the local sports games that Pakistan was known for, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that it was essential that these sports were developed. “It is unfortunate that sports was not given the required attention it needed in the past decades,” he stated.
The premier later also presided over a cheque distribution ceremony under the Kamyab Jawan Program.
He is also to visit Nowshera during his day-long visit and inaugurate housing flats in Jalozai, Nowshera where he would give away allotment letters.
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