Lahore:Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting to review the affairs of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) in Lahore on Monday. The premier was briefed about the administrative affairs of the PKLI. He was told that last year, the institute performed 290 kidney and 190 liver transplants. Only 17% patients among them could get benefit from the free treatment facility of the institute, Shehbaz was informed. Apart from this, the prime minister was apprised of the progress on the hospital’s nursing university project.
The premier lamented over authorities’ negligence in the completion of the PKLI project. He expressed his dissatisfaction over the facilities being provided to the patients at the institute. Shehbaz directed the hospital to provide international standard facilities to its patients, besides asking the authorities to provide free treatment facility to at least 50% of its poor patients.
He said the purpose of the PKLI was to provide free transplant facilities to the poor segment of society. Shehbaz ordered Punjab chief secretary to prepare a strategy regarding making the PKLI financially autonomous and present a report in this regard after three days.
The premier also directed to make the PKLI a trust. He ordered for swift completion of the nursing university project. He suggested to outsource the hygiene system of the institute in order to maintain high standards of cleanliness. The meeting was attended by Khwaja Salman Rafique, Khwaja Imran Nazir, Punjab chief secretary, Punjab health secretary, concerned authorities and PKLI officials.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has decided to establish a trust to run the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute and Research Centre. All expenditures of the PKLI and RC would be borne through trust. The provincial health department has given a briefing to Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz in this regard.
The CM was told that a four-star hotel or a modern commercial market would be made on Bedian Road near the PKLI. The income generated by the hotel or commercial market would be given to the PKLI to run its affairs pertaining to its administrative and treatment facilities at the institute.