LAHORE: The South Punjab Secretariat completed preparations on Wednesday to make Nishtar-H Hospital Outpatient Department (OPD) operational from June 1.

Consultant doctors have been appointed, and furniture for doctors` rooms has been delivered.

Electricity connection has been obtained for the OPD, and air-conditioning and heavy generators have been installed.

The procurement of medicines for patients has also been completed.

Beds have been installed for patients in the triage area, and arrangements for biomedicalequipment in the pathology labs have been finalized.

South Punjab Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) retired Capt Saqib Zafar visited Nishtar-II Hospital on Wednesday to review the progress of the OPD completion.

The ACS stated that the caretaker chief minister had set a target to complete the OPD of Nishtar II Hospital by May 31.

He acknowledged the challenge of achieving this within 30 days and commended the dedication of the concerned departments and administrations who have worked tirelessly day and night.

Mr Zafar announcedthat the OPD would be functional for patients from June 1.

He also mentioned plans for the construction of a medical college adjacent to Nishtar II Hospital, with evaluation of government land near the hospital currently underway.

Furthermore, he instructed the authorities to ensure dense plantation and installation of highquality street lights throughout the hospital`s outer area. Security arrangements for the hospital were also emphasized.

The ACS also visited the OPD and various blocks of the hospital, receiving briefings on the progress. It was reported that the emergency block,consisting of 120 beds, will be handed over to the health department by July 30.

Additionally, all departments of the 500-bed hospital will be fully operational by the end of this year.

The briefing highlighted that a total of Rs9.4 billion is being invested in the Nishtar II project, which spans an area of 57 acres.

This includes the purchase of bio-medical equipment worth Rs1,900 million.

The briefing also confirmed that all machinery for the hospital has been imported, and payment has been made to Mepco for the installation of the grid station.