Health Minister inaugurates pediatric orthopedic ward

BAHAWALPUR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2026) Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique visited here on Tuesday

and reviewed the progress of ongoing and proposed healthcare projects

in the region.

Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical education Azmat Mahmood

accompanied him during the visit. Among those present on the occasion

were Member Provincial Assembly Sadia Bilal, Member Provincial Assembly

Dr Rana Muhammad Tariq, Senior Vice President PML-N Lawyers Forum Bilal

Malik, Commissioner Bahawalpur Division Irfan Ali Kathia, Deputy Commissioner

Bahawalpur Syed Hassan Raza, and Principal Quaid-e-Azam Medical College

Prof Dr. Sofia Farrukh along with other senior officials.

During the visit, the provincial minister inspected the proposed site of a 50-bed

burn unit being constructed on Jhangiwala Road under the administration of Bahawal

Victoria Hospital. The project is being developed on 44 kanals of land at an estimated

cost of approximately Rs 4.3 billion and is expected to be completed within 15 to 16 months.

He also reviewed details regarding the proposed Children's Hospital Bahawalpur,

which would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 20 billion and was expected

to provide advanced healthcare facilities to patients from Bahawalpur Division and

adjoining areas.

Later, the minister visited Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi Hospital, where he inaugurated

a pediatric orthopedic ward.

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Initially, the ward has been equipped with 10 beds. During the

visit, he also inspected emergency, pharmacy, and diagnostic facilities at the hospital and

directed officials to further improve healthcare services.

Khawaja Salman Rafique also inaugurated a dead body transfer service outside the emergency

ward of Bahawal Victoria Hospital.In the initial

phase, eight air-conditioned ambulances had been provided, while the service would be extended

to tehsil level across Punjab within 90 days.

He further visited the under-construction Thalassemia unit and directed authorities to ensure its early completion. The 60-bed facility will provide modern healthcare services, including safe blood transfusion facilities for patients.

At the conclusion of the visit, Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique chaired a meeting at Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, where he reviewed the issues and requirements of various departments. Detailed discussions were held regarding cardiology, pulmonology, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, and other medical departments.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique stated that the government was taking priority measures to improve the healthcare sector and that all projects will be completed on time while ensuring high standards of quality.