The agreement will prove a milestone in the provision of modern healthcare facilities to the people of Punjab: CM Shahbaz Sharif
LAHORE – Pakistan and Turkey have signed a new deal on healthcare cooperation. Turkey has agreed to cooperate with the Punjab government for the uplift of healthcare system across the province.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest on the occasion. Turkish Health Minister Recep Akdag was also present. Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and Eyup Gumus signed the agreement.
Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif said, ‘We have signed a very comprehensive agreement aiming at improving health facilities such as health management, service of patients, procurement of medicine, drop-testing labs, training nurses etc.’
Under the MoU, the Turkish health ministry will share its experiences and expertise for the improvement of public health facilities across the Punjab. The Public Health Institute of Turkey will provide technical assistance for introducing reforms and for the modernisation of the Institute of Public Health Punjab.
Shahbaz Sharif said, ‘The agreement will prove a milestone in the provision of modern healthcare facilities to the people of Punjab.’ He said the people across the province would benefit from the health facilities.
Regarding Gulen-linked schools in Pakistan, Sharif said: “When [Turkey’s] AK Party parted ways from the Gulenists, we stopped further expansion of the schools in Punjab. In fact, we cancelled a couple of permissions for them to establish a university. All [Gulen] schools are taken away from Punjab,” he added.
The chief minister paid tributes to the Turkish people and their leaders for failing a military coup bid last month. Sharif said, ‘The enemies of Turkey are Pakistan’s enemies and the enemies of [Turkish President] Recep Tayyip Erdogan are enemies of Shahbaz Sharif.’
The Turkish minister said the people of Turkey acknowledged the role of Muslims from the subcontinent for the freedom struggle of Turkey. He said Pakistani leaders and the government had expressed solidarity with the Turkish government and people during the coup attempt. He said Pakistan’s was the first parliament to have condemned the coup bid.
MNAs Pervaiz Malik and Shaista Pervaiz Malik and Khwaja Ahmed Hassaan also attended the ceremony.
Turkey has also been helping Pakistan train its special forces to combat terrorism. Sharif confirmed that Turkish police train counter-terrorism and Dolphin Force police teams in Punjab.
The chief minister addressed via video link from Istanbul a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Floods. He reviewed the situation following the recent rains in several cities, including Lahore, and measures adopted for the disposal of rainwater.
Sharif directed that officials from the agencies concerned and elected representatives remain alert to respond to problems faced by people. He said all-out resources should be utilised for draining rainwater.