LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that being associated with a noble profession, the doctors are a source of hope for the patients. He lauded their services for the ailing humanity but said those, involved in criminal negligence and depriving the patients of modern treatment facilities by keeping the precious equipment worth millions of rupees shelved at the hospitals, deserved no mercy, adding that the govt was spending billions of rupees on the health sector while modern diagnostic apparatus had been provided to the hospitals. But unfortunately, the facilities were not being delivered to the deserving patients, he said. Shahbaz expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of 32nd Annual Congress held under the aegis of Ophthalmological Society of Pakistan (OSP) at Bhurban on Saturday. Renowned eye specialists from abroad are also attending the two-day congress. The chief minister said all possible resources were being allocated for the patients suffering from visual disorder in rural and urban areas. With the establishment of training institutions at the provincial level, more than 2,000 eye specialists besides paramedical and nursing staff were now available to the patients, but keeping in view the ever-increasing population of the country, more and more specialists were required, he added. Shahbaz said the Punjab government had provided best residential facilities to the doctors while all the doctors had been regularised by getting rid of adhocism. He said protecting the life and property of all the citizens and provision of health and educational facilities irrespective of cast, colour, creed and political as well as religious affiliation was the prime responsibility of any government. We are paying special attention to fulfil this responsibility. Referring to Lahore General Hospital, Shahbaz said he was forced to take stringent measures against the culprits as latest equipment, including CT Scan, were not functioning and the patients were compelled to avail the facilities from the private hospitals. He also announced funds of 10 million rupees for the society. On this occasion, Dr Mazhar Qayyum was awarded gold medal in recognition of his services. Earlier, President Ophthalmological Society of Pakistan Prof Tehsin Sahi, President Federal Branch Dr Bashir Ahmad Chohan, President-elect Dr Mazhar Qayyum and Prof Wajid Ali Khan addressing on the occasion thanked the chief minister for setting up latest institutions in the health sector and launching the projects regarding provision of treatment facilities on behalf of Punjab government.