LAHORE, April 08:  Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said welfare and rehabilitation of disabled persons is the collective responsibility of the government, and the society and keeping this fact in view a state-of-the-art centre for the rehabilitation of the disabled is being set up in the provincial metropolis, says a handout issued here on Wednesday.

The handout further says that all out facilities for the rehabilitation of children and elderly persons suffering from any disability will be available at the centre. The CM gave approval of the Board of Directors of Punjab Fund for Disabled People which will be completely autonomous in financial and administrative affairs.

He said this while presiding over a high level meeting regarding setting up of the state-of-the-art centre for the rehabilitation of disabled people and the Board of Directors of the Punjab Fund for the Disabled. Additional Chief Secretary, Secretaries of Health, Social Welfare, Finance, Special Edu Depts and other persons concerned were present on the occasion. The CM said service to humanity was a noble cause and the organisations and individuals engaged in this sector deserve all appreciation. He said that special persons are an integral part of the society and the govt is utilizing all available resources for their rehabilitation. He said that a unique institution for disabled people is being set up in Punjab where all out facilities will be available for their rehabilitation. He said that Board of Directors of Punjab Fund for the Rehabilitation of Disabled People has been formed which will work in company mode.

He said that the Board will deal with all issues including setting up of committees independently and it will submit its recommendations regarding setting up of these institutions within two weeks. He said that the Board will be fully autonomous in its affairs and it will also have his full cooperation.

He said that setting up of the state-of-the-art centre for the rehabilitation of the disabled is the need of the hour and every effort will be made for its early completion. He said that provision of treatment facilities to the common man is the priority of the govt and special attention is being paid to the provision of modern health facilities for the people of far-flung and backward areas. He said that in view of the unsatisfactory performance of basic and rural health centres, the project of mobile hospitals is being started for providing modern health facilities to the rural masses and this project will be completely outsourced.

Source: http://www.nation.com.pk