Denmark agrees to facilitate access to insulin, glucometers

Punjab CM, ambassador vow to promote cooperation

LAHORE:

Denmark's Ambassador Jakob Linulf and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif have reached an agreement to facilitate access to insulin and glucometers for patients in the province.

The ambassador called on the chief minister and held a discussion about providing free insulin to type-one diabetes patients.

A decision was made in principle to promote cooperation in the energy, health, environmental pollution control, carbon credits and other matters.

The leaders agreed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the Danish ambassador invited Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to visit Denmark, which she accepted.

Discussions were held on the possibilities of generating electricity from solar and wind power in Punjab, and emphasis was placed on the need for a long-term energy policy for the province.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed interest in Danish energy planning. She said that Punjab, being the largest province, should rely on local resources for energy.

Tree plantation along roadsides is ongoing to combat environmental pollution and for carbon credits, she said. A ban on plastic use has been imposed in Punjab.

The chief minister informed the ambassador that the pilot project of Pakistan's first information technology city has commenced in Lahore. Efforts are being made to modernise transportation.

She attributed the decrease in terrorism to the initiatives of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in the past.

The fight against terrorism continues and efforts are being made to curb religious extremism, she said.

Ambassador Linulf said Pakistan has untapped business opportunities and industrial development potential. The future of Pakistan is bright and promising, and Pakistanis are positive-thinking people.

The ambassador said Denmark has focused on converting coal and oil to green energy.

He said he was enjoying his posting in Pakistan as people always welcomed him warmly. Every region of Pakistan is blessed with natural beauty, he added.

The leaders were informed that Pakistan is the country with the third highest number of diabetes patients, which is increasing rapidly. The Punjab government is focused on prevention, control and awareness of diabetes through its various projects.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Danish officials were also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said while interviewing officers for various posts that she will monitor the process of appointment to important positions to discourage favoritism. At least three officers were interviewed for each post. “There is no place for the incompetent and corrupt officers in Punjab,” the CM said.

While inaugurating a Kids’ Day Care Centre in the Children's Hospital, the chief minister directed the relevant authorities to build a new ICU in the facility and ensure timely release of funds for its early completion.

”Every penny is a trust of the nation. It will be spent transparently on the improvement of healthcare facilities. We want to build the best hospital for people in every district,” she said.

She vowed to address the shortage of doctors in hospitals operating in remote areas.

She also reviewed a proposal to build children's hospitals in the divisional headquarters and link them with the hospital in Lahore.

The CM also witnessed the signing of an MoU between the Islamic Aid UK and University of Child Health Sciences for building a college block.

She enquired about the provision of medical facilities and free medicines from the parents of child patients and directed the medical superintendent to solve their problems immediately.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2024