Kidney, liver transplant institute soon

LAHORE
Advisor to the Punjab Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique Sunday said an institute of kidney and liver transplant of international standard is being established in Lahore and its foundation stone laying ceremony will be held within a month.
“The government has allotted 50 acres of land for the institution on Badian Road and total estimated cost of the project is about Rs. 12 billion,” he said while handing over a Rs 300 million cheque on behalf of Chief Minister Punjab to the Chairman Pakistan Kidney & Liver Institute Trust Prof. Saeed Akhtar, who is also the head of Organs Transplant Department of Al-Shifa International Islamabad at DG Health Office, according to a hand out. Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik, Special Secretary Finance Department Ahmed Raza Sarwar, DG Health Punjab Dr. Zahid Pervaiz and members of PKLI Trust were also present on this occasion.
The advisor said the government would provide funds for the construction of the institute according to the requirement. He said that after completion of the institute, Rs. 6 billion would be required annually to run the hospital. He said the government would provide 25 per cent of the total amount while rest of the expenditure would be met by the trust through philanthropy. He said legislation has already been carried out by the government in the Punjab Assembly in this regard. Chairman PKLI Trust Prof Saeed Akhtar apprised the reporters about liver transplants ratio carried out at Al-Shifa International Islamabad.