MURREE: The Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab (IDAP) has sought prequalification bids for the construction of 100-bed mother and childcare hospital of international standards at the hill station.

According to sources, the hospital will have all modern facilities which will offer treatment not only to local population but tourists as well.

The Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha had formally announced the hospital during her budget speech in the Punjab Assembly, the sources said, adding the chief minister had constituted a committee in this regard which visited different points in Murree to identify a suitable piece of land for the construction of the hospital.

The sources said primary healthcare system would also be strengthened by ensuring presence of doctors, availability of medicines with special focus on mother and child health.

According to a report hundreds of expecting women from Murree and its adjoining areas face complications in the absence of gaynae units in basic health units and rural health centre (RHC). These units face shortage of beds, qualified doctors and paramedics.

In absence of reproductive health units, the expecting mothers have no option but to move to Rawalpindi or Islamabad for delivery cases.

The RHC at Phagwari and tehsil headquarters hospital Murree do not have the capacity to entertain delivery cases where unskilled junior doctors handle evencaesarian cases, landing patients in serious health problems.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2016