Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Parvez Elahi on Wednesday participated in the 2nd convocation of the College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences of Kind Edward Medical University and distributed degrees among the successful doctors.
CM while addressing the convocation of the College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences said that we have announced to lift the ban from the induction of grade 17 posts of optometrists in the rural health centres (RHC) and from other posts affiliated with the allied vision.
Elahi revealed that the government was also granting permission for induction on all the posts subsequently being required by the Health Department. He assured that the government would provide all the possible resources for the students of the College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences adding that the problems of the students would be resolved and their demands would be fulfilled subsequently. He welcomed the arrival of students from all the provinces adding that the doctors after completing their education would serve the people in their provinces.
He underscored that the light of knowledge should be disseminated and the learning process for the students should continue forever. He lauded Prof Mumtaz and Dr Asad Aslam for rendering valuable services for the students. He stated that seats used to be allocated for female students in the 80s, adding that it seemed that seats for the female students would have to be allocated in the medical college.
He said that one learns while remaining in the government adding that it was not less than a test to become a ruler of a big province. He revealed that he had established public welfare institutions on the basis of personal experiences. “Allah Almighty always gives the reward of doing public service.” He stressed that the patients should be greatly looked after at hospitals. The founder of the college Principal Prof Asad Aslam Khan suggested setting up an institute of ophthalmology 18 years ago, he said, adding that he had then granted the permission to establish an institute of ophthalmology.
“We planted this sapling in 2004 and today it is providing shade like a big strong tree.” He denounced that Rescue 1122, surgical tower and his many other projects were closed down by his successors. He disclosed that the government was providing free medicines to the patients in the emergency and would give three times salary to the doctors performing their duties in the emergency.
The CM prayed that the students after completing their education from the College of Ophthalmology would nicely serve the humanity. He said that he always urges the students to make their targets and thinking always high in their professional careers. CM prayed for the forgiveness of the former Vice Chancellor of KEMU, Prof Dr Mumtaz. The CM distributed gold medals among the 1st position holder Marina Aslam, 2nd position holder Nimra Asif and 3rd position holder Laiba Usman. CM distributed shields among the VC Mahmood Ayaz, Registrar Dr. Riasat, Principal Zahid Kamal and Dr Asad Aslam. CM was also presented the college history book. Dr Yasmin Rashid thanked the CM in her address. VC Prof Mahmood Ayaz and Principal Zahid Kamal also addressed the gathering. CM put his signatures on the scroll register of the college as a tradition.
Meanwhile, Parvez Elahi launched the first Punjab dementia plan at a function held at his office where Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid presented the Punjab dementia plan book to him.
The CM noted that international data about this disease is alarming. “Dementia disease is also spreading in the country but elderly persons could not feel it. With increasing age, memory goes away due to dementia. Society should fulfill the responsibility to treat elderly people suffering from this disease and Punjab is the first province where a dementia plan has been introduced with the support of WHO,” he said. He said that currently, there are about 400,000 dementia patients in Pakistan and the number was increasing day by day. “The worrying thing is that 90% of dementia patients are not diagnosed,” he added. “A dementia patient becomes a liability, not only for the family but also for society. The Punjab government has become a part of this plan and it’s an example for other provinces to follow,” the CM maintained, and added that dementia had not only become a global issue but it was also a concern for Pakistanis.
Elahi observed that adequate measures are needed to treat dementia so that the patient and his family could be supported, he said. Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, President of Alzheimer Pakistan Zia H. Rizvi, secretary general Dr Hussain Jafri and others were also present.
While talking to the media afterwards, the CM said that people would be fully sensitized about dementia. Unfortunately, the N-League government has also suffered from dementia disease. Punjab would also treat them and give them medicine for free. I told the federal government six times that Punjab does not have wheat. The federal government gave wheat to Sindh and other provinces but neither gave wheat to Punjab nor allowed it to import, he regretted. The dementia-affected federal government forgets every time and Shehbaz Sharif is committing enmity with the people of Punjab, he stated. If the federal government permits us, we will import wheat ourselves, the CM added. The federal government has to pay the dues of 170 billion rupees to the Punjab government; he mentioned and added that this amount is the right of the people of Punjab and the province. The government of Shehbaz Sharif has withheld this amount. Punjab is Imran Khan’s own province. We support Imran Khan’s long march. Shehbaz Sharif is taking revenge from Punjab because Imran Khan and our government are here, added Parvez Elahi. The federal government is responsible for this situation. It is the fault of Shehbaz Sharif’s government to create this situation. If the federal government had delivered and solved the problems of the people, this situation would not have happened, he stressed. The federal government could also be treated and they would be given medicine for free, he added. On the issue of wheat, the provincial government would approach the Supreme Court, he said. N-League and PDM are unnerved because they are unable to handle themselves. They dream of ruling Punjab but cannot manage themselves. The N-League government is responsible for the bad economic conditions, he said. We want to hold local government elections in the province. “The local government bill will be passed in the assembly. We have already passed the local government bill in the assembly but the PML-N’s governor did not sign it… Imran Khan is talking about the general elections very calmly and respectfully but the opponents do not deserve any respect or honour,” he concluded.
Separately, a meeting of MNAs and MPAs of Rawalpindi Division was held under the chair of Parvez Elahi at his office to discuss suggestions about the resolution of people’s problems and the constituency-related developmental schemes.
Addressing the meeting, the CM said that specific areas would be zoned for housing and green and brown areas. The development projects of Rawalpindi Division should be completed without delay and different roads including that of Adiala and Chakri areas should also be repaired, he said. Similarly, the repair of inter-district link roads and suburban roads of Rawalpindi Division should be completed, he directed.
