MARDAN: Commissioner Mardan Division Muhammad Ali Shah has directed the authorities concerned to open the reconstructed District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Swabi at the earliest, stressing that providing quality healthcare facilities to the public is a top government priority.
He said modern medical facilities had been provided at the hospital and directed the relevant authorities to take immediate measures to make it operational so that quality healthcare services could be made available to the local population.
The Commissioner issued these directives while chairing a review meeting on ongoing and new development projects in Mardan and Swabi.
The meeting was given a detailed briefing on various projects, including the Benazir Children and Women Hospitals in Mardan and Swabi, Girls Cadet College Mardan, DHQ Hospital Mardan, Mardan Medical Complex, roads, flyovers and other major development schemes.
Rs110m Required to Complete Benazir Hospital Block
Regarding progress on the Benazir Children and Women Hospital Mardan, the meeting was informed that one block of the hospital was operational, while construction of the second block remained incomplete due to a shortage of funds.
An additional Rs110 million was required to complete the remaining work.
The Commissioner directed the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to complete the unfinished portion of the hospital. He said he would raise the funding requirement with the higher authorities to ensure the early completion and operationalisation of the remaining block.
He said the completion of the facility would enable women and children to access improved healthcare services.
Development Projects to Be Completed Within Set Timelines
Commissioner Muhammad Ali Shah directed officials of the Communication and Works (C&W) Department to accelerate work on ongoing development projects in Mardan and Swabi and ensure their completion within the stipulated timelines.
Emphasising the need to improve the appearance, maintenance and safety arrangements of roads and flyovers, he said their upkeep and aesthetic condition played an important role in enhancing the overall appearance of cities.
He stressed that construction and maintenance activities must be accompanied by proper upkeep and public safety measures.
The Commissioner also directed the authorities to expedite development schemes at Girls Cadet College Mardan.
Projects Divided Into Three- and Six-Month Categories
The Commissioner directed all relevant departments to divide ongoing development projects into two categories.
The first category would comprise projects that could be completed within the next three months, while the second would include projects expected to be completed within six months.
He instructed the concerned authorities to submit detailed reports covering the progress, current status and expected completion timelines of projects in both categories to ensure effective monitoring and timely completion.
Commissioner Muhammad Ali Shah made it clear that there would be no compromise on the timely completion of public welfare projects or the quality of construction.
He urged the departments concerned to remove obstacles hindering development work and ensure effective monitoring and coordination so that all projects could be completed within the stipulated timeframe and the public could benefit from these initiatives at the earliest.