LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reappointed Dr Saeed Akhtar as Chairman of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) besides reviving the board.
The prime minister took the decision in line of the meeting of the PKLI board of governors, which he had presided over the previous day.
Dr Saeed Akhtar has been recalled from the USA and re-appointed as Chairman PKLI, the PM Office said. Four years ago, Dr Saeed Akhtar proceeded back to the United States after court proceedings and other issues.
The PM Office said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally played a role in bringing back Dr Saeed Akhtar.
“Inspired by the vision of Shehbaz Sharif, Dr. Saeed Akhtar had left behind everything in America and had came to Pakistan,” the staement said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as Chief Minister, had devised this plan to save liver and kidney patients from the high cost of treatment and travel difficulties abroad. The previous government subjected the project to political vendetta, the PM Office said.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday was given a detailed briefing about the financial and administrative affairs of PKLI.
During a meeting at the PKLI here, he was informed about the reorganization of Board of Directors of PKLI, setting up of nursing institute, free-of-cost medical treatment to 50 percent of patients, and the formation of PKLI trust.
The prime minister directed that departments of PKLI should be revived in phases and the projects which were delayed in the last three years should be completed on an emergency basis. He directed Chief Secretary Punjab and Finance Secretary Punjab to ensure funds for PKLI by July 10.
He instructed that measures for the establishment of a nursing institute should be completed till next month. He said able and competent private members should be included in the board of directors so that affairs of PKLI should be handled amicably.
The prime minister congratulated the newly-elected chairman of PKLI board Dr Saeed Akhtar and directed that services of reputable firms should be hired for financial advice to stabilize the financial matters of PKLI.
He said screening centers for patients should be made functional across Punjab so that people could get health facilities across the province.
On this occasion, Chairman PKLI Dr Saeed Akhtar expressed determination to rid Pakistan of deadly diseases like hepatitis as was done in Egypt.
