This he said while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Medical College here. Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaque Parvez Kayani, and Federal Minister for Health Shahabuddin were also present on the occasion. Lahore Corps Commander Lieutenant General Ijaj Ahmed Bukhsi also spoke on the occasion and highlighted architectural features of the College.
The Prime Minister said that sacrifices of Pakistan's Armed Forces for the motherland were praiseworthy. Especially its role in the fight against terrorism, handling of natural disasters, and rehabilitation of displaced persons were extraordinary, he added.
He said that architecture and educational atmosphere of the college reflect national reconstruction spirit of Pakistan Army which, under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, was playing the role for safeguarding geographical boundaries and national reconstruction. He said that it was gratifying to note that the College Campus had been completed in a short span of three months, without any assistance from the government. "The construction of the College without any government assistance proves that with good leadership Pakistani nation has the ability to perform any miracle," he said.
The Prime Minister said that Pak Army is not only facing internal and external challenges but is also playing an important role in national rebuilding. "The Army is not only extending health facilities to the masses but is also setting up educational institutions in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar. The Pak Army also played an important role in rescue work in case of natural disasters and testing time including fight against terrorism," he said.
Gilani said that provision of better healthcare facilities and education were priorities of the PPP government, which allocated sufficient funds for health sector. He said there was paucity of doctors as well as health facilities in the country, particularly in rural areas. The country needs such doctors who could render selfless services to the masses, he added. He said, "We must take health sector as a challenge and help the government for provision of better health facilities".
He said that in the 50s, there was acute shortage of doctors, but his father, who was health minister at that time, got established medical institution in Punjab besides Nishter Hospital Multan. He said when he did F Sc (pre-medical), Z A Bhutto offered to his father that if he joined PPP, he (Yousuf Raza Gilani) would get admission in medical college on the seat reserved for Governor.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that high quality of medical education would be provided in this college that would help raise the standard of medical education in the country. He also expressed optimism that students of this college on completion of education would play important role in the fields of surgery and medicine. He also said that provision of medical facilities is priority of PPP government. He also acknowledged the role of private sector in this endeavour. He further said that APNA--a body of Pakistani doctors working in the US--during recent visit to Pakistan assured full financial support to the Ministry of Health for providing quality healthcare facilities to masses.
He said that a former Punjab Governor, Khalid Maqbool, in a meeting with him had suggested opening of a medical college in Lahore. The medical college that was inaugurated by President Asif Ali Zardari two days ago was the idea of Khalid Maqbool, which was got implemented by him. The Prime Minister also announced Rs 100 million grant for the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Medical College.