Reconstructive surgery hospital under Italian aid

December 15, 2009
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: Italian government will provide funds and expertise for the construction of a 92-bed most modern medical complex for reconstructive surgery of burn patients and their rehabilitation in Pakistan.

This was stated by a leading international plastic surgeon and head of plastic surgery, Santa Maria Hospital, Udine, Italy, Dr Giuseppe Lasasso while speaking at a meeting organised by Italian Development Council (IDC) between visiting Italian and Pakistani Businessmen here Tuesday.

Senior vice president Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rasheeduddin Rashid, President Eurolls Group Renato Railz and Italian Consul General Domenico Benincasa President IDC Tariq Ikram and others was also present on the occasion.

Dr Lasasso, who has so far done more than 300 reconstructive and skin grafting surgeries of 98 burn patients in Pakistan, said that free medical treatment will be provided to the patients (most of them are girls) who are mostly the victims of acid throwing. This is my 16th visit to Pakistan, but first to Karachi, he added.

Dr Lasasso is the chairman of the hospital, which will be, constructed in Multan over 2 acres of land at an estimated cost of Rs 700 million. Italian government will provide most of the funding from a "debt swap facility", he noted.

Syed Masood Haider, project director of Smileagain Foundation which will be undertaking the construction of the hospital said that the hospital, named as International Centre for Reconstructive Surgery, Rehabilitation, Vocational Training and Shelter Home, will not only provide reconstructive surgery and grafting to burn patients, but also facilitate their rehabilitation and arrange vocational training so that they can earn their livelihood in respectable manner.

He said that training of paramedical staff is being conducted in Italy while one doctor was already in Udine for acquiring expertise in reconstructive surgery. Similarly, 10 burns victims have already completed beauticians course in La Quala region of Italy, he added.

Haider said that the hospital project can be completed earlier, if Pakistan philanthropists also contribute funds for the project.

President IDC Tariq Ikram said that the mission of the council is to promote investment and bilateral trade between Pakistan and Italy by way of arranging meetings between the businessmen of both the countries.