ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Asad Umer on Saturday vowed to revamp Islamabad’s health system, saying that work on construction of three new and major hospitals was about to begin in the federal capital.

“In the last 40 years, not a single major government hospital was built in Islamabad. Now, three new and major hospitals are about to be constructed in Islamabad,” the minister said while addressing a public gathering in Jhangi Syedan.

While giving details, Mr Umer mentioned the construction ofSheikh Zayed Hospital in Tramri and the extension of Federal Government Services Hospital, known as Polyclinic, in G-11. Besides this, he said, a “new tower” costing billions of rupees would be built at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). He said the groundbreaking of the new hospital in G-11 sector would be held soon.

During his speech, the minister presented an overview of the development projects being carried out by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government in the capital.

Inaugurates work on BHU in Sarai Kharbooza; says water issues of capital residents being resolved

The minister said previously there was only one basic health centre (BHC) in eight rural union councils of Islamabad which was functioning in Shah Allah Ditta with inadequate medical facilities. Presently, he said, work on four BHCs had started, adding that he had inaugurated the work on one of the BHCs in Sarai Kharbooza earlier in the day.

He said the groundbreaking of two more BHCs in Jhangi Syedan would be held next month.

The minister further said water issue was also being resolved for the residents of the capital.

Mr Umer, who was elected from NA-54 constituency of Islamabad, said work on construction of 10th Avenue was about to begin whereas expansion work and re-carpeting of Margalla Road and I.J. Principal Road were already in progress.

He said there were many other road projects in the city which included a bypass at Bhara Kahu.

Similarly, he said not a single college had been built in the city in the last 15 years whereas four new colleges were now being established in two sectors of Islamabad. These colleges, he claimed, would start functioning by the end of this year.

The minister thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for allocating the funds for development projects in Islamabad.

He said though the PTI had been in power for little more than three-and-a-half years, the actual development work in the capital was started by the party some two-and-a-half years ago as in the first year, it had to utilise the development budget that had been allocated by the previous government.

He lashed out at the opposition parties, alleging that the previous rulers used to prefer their personal interests over the national interests. He said when the PTI took over the government in August 2018, the country was facing a severe economic crisis.

Earlier, Mr Umer inaugurated work on the BHC in Sarai Kharbooza, which would provide medical facility to residents at their doorsteps.

The duration for completion of the project was two years but the Public Works Department (PWD) has been tasked with completing the project within nine months.

Speaking on the occasion, Asad Umer said health was one of the priorities of the government, which was why four BHUs were being established in NA-54.

Talking to Dawn, District Health Officer Dr Zaeem Zia said the project would help address basic health needs of the population.

“Ministry of National Health Services and the Ministry of Planning have a vision to strengthen the health services in entire Islamabad to provide services to the residents at their doorsteps. We have 10 new hospitals under construction in Islamabad’s suburbs,” he said.

Replying to a question, he said facilities of outpatient department, lab tests, primary-level interventions, vaccinations and medicines would be available at the BHU in Sarai Kharbooza.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2022