LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has approved 592 new vacancies for a 300-bed under construction hospital at Shahdara. According to the spokesman of Health Department, the chief minister also approved 632 new vacancies for 410-bed hospital in Bahawalpur. The vacancies include specialist doctors, medical officers, woman medical officers and nursing staff. Cost of under construction 300-bed hospital at Shahdara has been estimated at Rs 592 million and it is expected to be completed by November 2012. Similarly, 410-bed hospital at Bahawalpur is in its final phase of construction, and the structure of the building has been completed, whereas finishing work on the project is being carried out. The total estimate of this project is Rs 1250m, out of which Rs 1200m has so far been spent.  The spokesman emphasised that, with the construction of 410-bed hospital at Bahawalpur, latest medical care facilities would be made available to the people of South Punjab and they would not need to travel to either to Lahore or to other hospitals.