Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that thalassemia is a highly dangerous disease and there is need for maximum efforts and resources for its control.
Addressing a seminar on thalassemia at Post Graduate Medical Institute in connection with Thalassemia Day, the CM appreciated holding of the event and said that it will be very helpful in promoting awareness for controlling this problem.
He said that those working for prevention of this disease will achieve success in this world and the hereafter. He said that Thalassemia Prevention Programme is continuing successfully in 18 districts of Punjab and will be extended to the whole province.
He said that there is a need for an effective awareness campaign to control thalassemia, adding that religious scholars can play an effective role in promoting public awareness against thalassemia.
He said that a revolution was passed by Punjab Assembly in 2012 for controlling thalassemia and legislation will now be carried out for this purpose with the consultation of experts. He said that every effort will be made for saving children from thalassemia and maximum resources will be provided for this purpose.
Sharif directed Adviser on Health Salman Rafique, who was also present on the occasion, to submit comprehensive recommendations within two weeks with the consultation of experts so that necessary legislation could be undertaken for the prevention of the disease.
He said that billions of rupees were provided during the last 68 years for the improvement of healthcare system. He said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in Punjab had allocated unprecedented funds for the uplift of the healthcare system in the province during its previous five-year tenure and also in the present year but the desired results have not been achieved yet.
He said it was lamentable that rulers of Punjab, during the era of dictatorship, imported granite tiles worth millions of rupees from India for the building adjacent to Services Hospital, disregarding the fact that these resources should have been spent on the provision of better treatment facilities to patients.
SHAHBAZ SPEAKS ON POLIO: Speaking at the occasion, Shahbaz said that polio has tarnished the image of Pakistan throughout the world but no case of polio has been detected in Punjab during 2014.
He appreciated the efforts of provincial adviser on health and his team regarding polio vaccination. He said that though polio is an issue of Pakistan and not of Punjab, efforts should be intensified for eradicating polio. The CM said that the funds required for the completion of Punjab Institute of Neuro Sciences Project will be provided in the current fiscal year while adviser to CM on health and secretary health will submit a detailed report regarding Amirud Din Medical College after their visit.
