Polyclinic extension: Argentina offers facilities, oncology dept

Envoy calls for cooperation in the field of science and technology.


Manzoor Ahmed September 21, 2012

ISLAMABAD: Around one-third of the Argentina Park will be used to erect a new structure for the extension of Polyclinic Hospital. According to the ambassador of the South American nation, that is not the only way his country is going to be involved in this project.

In an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune, Argentinean Ambassador and Dean of Diplomatic Core Rodolfo J Martin Saravia said that the new 1,000 bed-building is also going have an “Argentina Pavilion”.

It will house modern healthcare equipment and facilities for patients that will be provided by the country.

According to the envoy, Argentina has offered to include nurses from Polyclinic Hospital in a nurses’ training programme. We are also willing to establish an oncology department, which the hospital is currently missing, he added.

Being the second largest government hospital in the capital city, Polyclinic currently facilitates over 6,000 patients at its outpatient department. It has 545 beds which are insufficient to meet the growing demand.

Moreover, the envoy explained the steps taken by both countries to increase cooperation in the fields of science and technology, trade and power generation.

“Argentina will cooperate with Pakistan and introduce modern technology to overcome the ongoing energy crisis in the country,” Saravia said, adding that his country also wishes to support the Benazir Bhutto Transport Scheme.

Being a major producer and exporter of CNG cylinders, car kits and compressors, Argentina will establish modern CNG filling stations in the country, he explained.

Saravia said the Argentinean Embassy has published a book to promote Pakistan’s natural beauty which will be sent to all Pakistani embassies across the world.

Commenting on the war on terror, he said that the ongoing conflict cannot come to an end through military tactics and the only way to end the conflict is through negotiations with militants.

The ambassador said that his embassy has held several exhibitions to promote arts and culture and will continue to do so in future.

Argentina played an important role with the UN in bringing ceasefire between Pakistan and India during the 1971 War. The late prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had named a park in Argentina’s honour to appreciate this positive role.

With additional input from Usama Zafar

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2012.

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