LAHORE - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif jointly inaugurated state-of-the-art Recep Tayyip Erdogan Trust Hospital in Muzaffargarh through video link on Thursday.
The Turkish president unveiled the plaque remotely, from Ankara, where VP, ministers, parliamentarians and TIKA president were present. CM Shahbaz, Health Adviser Salman Rafique, Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan S Babur Girgin, lawmakers and officials attended the event in Muzaffargarh.
Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz dubbed the hospital as ‘another milestone’ in Pak-Turk friendship. “The friendship between the people of two states is more than brotherly ties. He said the hospital having latest facilities is a glorious example of help and assistance by a brother. The Turkish help for 2010 flood-hit people of Pakistan was unforgettable. The Turkish president and his daughter came to Pakistan and extended all-out help to marooned people while the first lady of Turkey led fundraisers in her state.
The CM said the Muslims of sub-continent fully supported their Turkish brethren in their fight for freedom. He said that the Turkish President has not only set up a hospital in Muzaffargarh but also sent doctors.
He said the Punjab government provides funds for the hospital while NGO Indus runs the system of the hospital. The CM thanked Turkish government and the people for setting up the hospital. He said Erdogan is a great leader and Turkish nation is proud of him. The CM said Amina Tayyip Erdogan School was another ‘splendid’ gift for this region. He made a request to Turkish president to visit Pakistan to inaugurate it.
The chief minister said that the hospital is equipped with modern medical facilities. He said that this hospital is playing an important role in the service of ailing humanity and orthopedic ward has also been started in the hospital which will provide latest facilities to the handicapped persons. He said this hospital is a role model for other hospitals of Pakistan.
He said the model of this hospital will have to be replicated so that the mission of health service could be completed.
He said that every effort will have to be made to upgrade all government and private hospitals, DHQs, THQs and rural and basic health centers to the level of Recep Tayyip Erdogan Trust Hospital so that Pakistan could be made an Islamic welfare state as was envisioned by Quaid and Iqbal.
He announced an increase the bed capacity of Recep Tayyip Erdogan Trust Hospital from 100 to 500 beds and said that it has also been decided to establish medical college, nursing training center and research and development departments in the hospital and funds of billions of rupees will be allocated for this project during next financial year. He said that the site of the project has been selected while its design has also been prepared and these projects will be completed within two years. He said that every effort will be made to transform Pakistan into a welfare state.
Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that cooperation with Pakistan in different sectors will be continued. He also congratulated Pakistani nation on fighting terrorism and other problems with courage and determination. He said military and political leadership in Pakistan and all stakeholders are making all-out efforts for coping with the challenge of terrorism and Pakistan will soon get over such problems. Erdogan also stressed the need for unity among Muslim state to cope with challenges confronting the Ummah.