Healthcare: Expansion of General Hospital starts

FAISALABAD:

A project to expand General Hospital, Samanabad, by increasing the number of beds from 50 to 250 was inaugurated on Friday. Former law minister Rana Sanaullah launched the project that would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs1 billion.

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Noorul Amin Mengal was present on the occasion. General Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Khalid Fakhar told media that the expansion was needed in the wake of increasing number of patients.

He said the new six-storey building of the hospital would be completed in two years.

“Once complete, the hospital will be at par with the district headquarters (DHQ) hospital in terms of providing healthcare services,” Fakhar said.

Undue protocol

Sanaullah, who has been removed from his office following the June 17 clashes in Model Town, Lahore, was given the protocol of a minister when he came to the hospital.

Five to six vehicles of police and Elite Force escorted him to the ceremony, as banners at the hospital mentioned him as the serving law minister. The plaque that Sanaullah unveiled to launch the project was also bearing his name with his former portfolio.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2014.