MULTAN - Despite the lapse of over three years, the Punjab Government has failed to launch Multan Institute of Cardiology (MIC) extension project, putting a question mark on its fate, The Nation has learnt.
The hospital administration was given 24 Kanal and Five Marla land for this purpose but nothing is constructed on it because of lack of interest shown by the provincial Health Department and this patch is being used as car parking, catering to the needs of all adjoining offices and a shopping plaza.
Though a condition, which clearly states in the notification issued at the time of handing over of the land that it will automatically be regained by the provincial government if construction is not done within one year, hangs like a sword on the extension project, the Cardiology Institute administration seems rather relax.
It may not be out of place to mention here that almost all health projects of Multan are faced with the same situation. The two-year Children Complex Hospital extension project is still incomplete despite lapse of over four years while nothing is done to complete burn unit and construct district headquarters hospital. Similarly, the emergency block of MIC is constructed but the hospital does not have any staff or equipment to make it functional.
Out of 24 Kanals and five Marla land given to the MIC, a patch of about four Kanal and five Marla was occupied by a police mess while a civil officers’ club namely Shesh Mehl was established on the remaining 20 Kanals.
The mess and club were demolished and the Punjab Government accorded sanction vide letter No. 476-2009/276-CSI to handover 24 Kanal and five Marla land to Multan Institute of Cardiology for extension project on January 31, 2009.
However, the district Officer Revenue Multan issued another letter No. 96/DO/HCC for the same purpose just two days after the first notification, bearing a mysterious condition, saying the land would be returned to the government if construction was not done within one year. “The construction should be completed within one year from the date of issue of above orders, failing which the land shall be liable to be resumed,” states the letter in third, fourth and fifth lines of second paragraph.
“The condition attached with the project in the letter is reflective of bad intent of bureaucracy. Getting possession of this land from bureaucracy was tantamount to snatching a bite from Lion’s mouth. Though the Chief Minister made it possible, a vicious alliance of bureaucracy and Cardiology Institute’s admin is going to spoil this effort,” said a source in Health Department on condition of anonymity.
An admin officer of Cardiology Institute told this scribe that the hospital administration proposed the extension project to the Chief Architect Punjab for approval, but the proposal was turned down.
Meanwhile, the social circles have urged upon Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to take notice of mysterious delay in launching of MIC extension project and take action against those creating hurdles in its way.