LAHORE:Provincial Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that the Punjab government is committed to further expanding and upgrading emergency services across the province.
He chaired a review meeting at Rescue Headquarters to assess progress on initiatives undertaken under the CM’s directives. Secretary Emergency Services Dr Rizwan Naseer briefed the meeting on construction of a new airstrip for the air ambulance service in Bhakkar, expansion of rescue coverage in various towns, launch of mortuary services and procurement of modern flood response equipment.
The secretary informed that arrangements for the mortuary service had been finalised, work on the Bhakkar air ambulance strip was progressing, and construction of 33 new rescue stations was under way.
The minister said that under the CM’s leadership, the best possible emergency facilities were being ensured for the public. He maintained that development work on the Bhakkar airstrip was being carried out at a fast pace to facilitate air ambulance operations. During Ramazan, rescuers were serving citizens round the clock.
He stated that the Fire Rescue Service had responded to more than 280,000 fire emergencies so far, preventing potential losses exceeding Rs768 billion. The 33 under-construction rescue stations would be completed soon, while a dead body transfer service would be made available in every tehsil across Punjab.
Dr Rizwan said that procurement of modern communication equipment, landing craft, rescue boats and carriers for Rescue 1122 had been advertised to further strengthen emergency response capacity.
