By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: The President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mian Abuzar has urged the government to ensure policy exemptions for Shalamar Hospital so that the management can enhance public welfare services.
He was speaking at the Board of Directors meeting of Shalamar Hospital which was chaired by Chairman Shahid Hussain and also graced by esteemed personalities such as Syed Babar Ali, Abrar A. Mumtaz, Muhammad Munir Chaudhry, Altaf M. Saleem and Omar Saeed.
During the session, comprehensive discussions revolved around Shalamar Hospital’s current services, future development plans and the significant challenges confronting the healthcare sector. A major focus of the meeting was the financial burdens placed on the hospital due to government department’s policy impositions.
LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad lauded Shalamar Hospital for its exemplary role in providing quality medical services to the community, particularly to underprivileged segments of society. He emphasized the need for the government and relevant authorities to waive the commercialization fee imposed on Shalamar Hospital stating that institutions dedicated to public welfare should not be treated as commercial entities. “The healthcare sector is already under immense pressure and such fees place unnecessary strain on institutions that are solely focused on serving humanity,” he said.
The Chairman of the Board, Shahid Hussain, along with other members, briefed the attendees about the hospital’s ongoing projects and future goals. They highlighted the hospital’s critical contributions to healthcare and how fees like commercialization charges hinder their ability to allocate resources effectively for patient care and infrastructure development.
Veteran industrialist Syed Babar Ali provided a historical perspective on Shalamar Hospital mentioning its establishment as a beacon of public service and its ongoing mission to deliver affordable healthcare to all. He reiterated that hospitals with a philanthropic ethos must be supported through policy exemptions and encouraged in their efforts to uplift healthcare standards.
The participants explored several proposals to enhance the hospital’s capacity and ensure its sustainability. Mian Abuzar Shad suggested that collaboration between the Lahore Chamber, healthcare stakeholders and the government could lead to pragmatic solutions that alleviate financial hurdles for institutions like Shalamar.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous resolution to advocate for the exemption of Shalamar Hospital from the commercialization fee. The Board emphasized that such support would enable the hospital to continue expanding its facilities, improving healthcare services and serving the community without financial encumbrances.
This significant step aligns with broader efforts to strengthen the healthcare sector by reducing unnecessary financial pressures on nonprofit organizations. The attendees expressed their commitment to raising this issue with relevant authorities to ensure that Shalamar Hospital remains a cornerstone of quality healthcare in Lahore.
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