Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid a surprise visit to Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Hospital and Bedian Road Ramzan Bazaar without protocol on Saturday.
Even the chief minister’s staff, district administration and Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz office-bearers did not know about the visit of the chief minister.
Sharif reviewed the availability of medical facilities in Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Hospital and prices and quality of essential commodities, fruits, vegetables and pulses in Ramzan Bazaar. He asked the under-treatment patients in the hospital and their attendants about the medical facilities being provided in the gynae ward, pharmacy and sanitation arrangements. He also asked about the provision of medicines and behaviour of the medical staff.
Talking to the chief minister, the patients and their attendants appreciated setting up of the hospital and availability of healthcare facilities and medicines. They also expressed their satisfaction over the behaviour of doctors and paramedics. An under-treatment patient in gynae ward hailed the hospital as a blessing. The female patients appreciated the medical facilities in the hospital and described it a big service of the chief minister to the common people.
Talking to doctors, nurses and other staff, Sharif expressed satisfaction over the cleanliness arrangements in the hospital and also stressed the need for improvement. He said that he was pleased to visit the hospital where best treatment facilities are available to the patients while the staff is also present. He said that there is a need to promote the spirit of service to humanity as it is the way to success in this world and the world hereafter. He said that best medical facilities are being extended to patients in Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Hospital and similar healthcare facilities should be available in all other hospitals of Punjab as well.
The chief minister also visited pharmacy and blood bank of the hospital and reviewed the system of medicines. He also appreciated the efficiency of the pharmacist and gave him ‘Shabash’. Sharif during his visit to blood bank expressed his pleasure over the commitment of a lady doctor who was performing her duty despite an injury in her foot and said that such a spirit is essential for service to ailing humanity. He said that a refrigerator will be arranged for storing blood in the bank.
Later, the chief minister paid a surprise visit to Sasta Ramzan Bazaar at Bedian Road arranged by Wahga Town. He inspected the stalls of fruits, vegetables, sugar and flour and also checked the quality and prices of commodities. Talking to consumers, the chief minister said that the purpose of Ramzan bazaars is to provide relief to the common man in the real sense. He said that crackdown is also continuing against the profiteers in open markets. He said that he will not allow anyone to exploit the common man.
Talking to people in the bazaar, he said that Ramzan bazaars have been set up throughout the province for the benefit of masses, adding that quality food items are being provided to the masses at subsidised rates. He said that the entire government machinery and elected representatives have been mobilised to ensure that the benefit of Ramzan package should reach the citizens.
Sharif said that he is also paying regular visits to Ramzan bazaars to review quality, prices and availability of edible items. He said that genuine relief will be provided to the masses. People, including elderly persons, women and youth informed the chief minister that the prices of edible items are lower in Ramzan bazaars than the open market and their quality is also better. The chief minister inspected the stalls of sugar and flour and inquired the people about their quality who expressed their satisfaction.