Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Mian Khaliqur Rehman has said that the provincial government will soon finalize the site for a proposed 1,000-bed mega hospital in Kohat Division in consultation with elected public representatives as part of its efforts to modernize the healthcare sector.
Chairing a divisional health review meeting at the Commissioner’s Office in Kohat, the minister also announced the approval of an MRI machine, a CT scanner and a cardiac catheterization laboratory (Cath Lab) for the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Kohat.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister for Information Shafi Jan, Chairman DEDAC and MPA Daud Shah Afridi, Commissioner Kohat Division Syed Motasim Billah Shah, Deputy Commissioner Kohat Muhammad Nawaz Wazir, district health officers, medical superintendents and other senior officials.
The health minister said the proposed mega hospital would significantly improve access to advanced healthcare services for residents of Kohat Division and adjoining districts.
He directed the authorities to complete the Liaqat Memorial Women and Children Hospital within the stipulated timeframe, resolve issues facing Type-C and Type-D hospitals, Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centres (RHCs) in Lachi, Shakardara and other areas, restore non-functional X-ray machines and procure new diagnostic equipment where required.
During the meeting, Commissioner Syed Motasim Billah Shah briefed participants on the healthcare system in the division, stating that Kohat Division currently has 289 functional public health facilities, including one Category-A hospital. He also shared updates on the availability of medical staff, medicines, diagnostic facilities, ongoing development projects and new health schemes.
Addressing the meeting, Information Minister Shafi Jan said the provincial government was giving top priority to healthcare reforms, the provision of modern medical equipment and improved treatment facilities.
He emphasized the need for timely, transparent and quality implementation of ongoing health projects.
Later, the health minister visited the under-construction Liaqat Memorial Women and Children Hospital and DHQ Hospital Kohat, where he reviewed construction progress, inspected the emergency and other departments, met patients and their attendants, and directed the authorities to further improve the quality of healthcare services.