WHO, Punjab partner for disease prevention
In Sindh, MLOs are appointed at the government hospitals of only five districts - Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana and Benazirabad. PHOTO: FILE
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy agreed on Friday to collaborate for the provision of better health facilities in the province.
Felicitating Dr Balkhy on assuming the office of WHO Regional Director, the CM lauded the services rendered by the expert in the health sector, especially with regard to controlling infections.
"The Punjab government will provide complete cooperation and assistance to the WHO to ensure prevention of diseases and their treatment," the chief minister said during a meeting.
She said bringing reforms in the health sector was her government's foremost priority.
The chief minister informed the WHO official that 32 field hospitals have been made functional for the people in the rural areas of the province.
"W will accomplish our target to establish state of the art hospitals in every district within the next from be years," she asserted.
Dr Hanan Balkhy said undertaking timely measures is highly essential in order to save the people inhabiting remote areas from infectious diseases.
The WHO will provide complete cooperation and assistance for the provision of timely health facilities in case of any natural calamity or emergency situation, she added.
Dr Balkhy congratulated Maryam Nawaz on being elected the first woman Chief Minister of Punjab.
Meanwhile, CM Maryam Nawaz expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in a traffic accident in Chilas. She offered condolences and showed sympathy for the bereaved families. She prayed for the deceased and complete and early recovery of the injured.
Press freedom
“The media plays a pivotal role in awakening collective consciousness of the society,” said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in her message on World Press Freedom Day.
She added, ”A sense of responsibility for press freedom is very much crucial to bringing positive change.”
The chief minister said, "Freedom of expression is essential for transparency, thriving democracy and well-informed people.”
She added, ”Punjab government is taking all possible measures for the welfare of journalism and journalists.”
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, " pay tribute to every journalist who raised the banner of independent thinking in the era of dictatorship.”
She added, "Tribute is also due to all hardworking journalists who report abuse in their society with responsibility.”
She also saluted the first journalist of the Sub-continent, Maulvi Muhammad Baqir, who was martyred for the freedom of expression.”
Condemning a bomb explosion in Khuzdar in which the president of the local press club lost his life, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated, “Enemies of the freedom of press will never succeed in their goals."
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2024.