Lahore, February 19, 2018 (PPI-OT): Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presided over a three hours long important meeting, here today, to take detailed review of progress made on health sector reforms programme. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that every possible step is being made to provide quality healthcare facilities adding that he is desirous of making healthcare system in Punjab as better than the best. Punjab government has provided resources, to the tune of billions of rupees, for bringing improvements in healthcare facilities in the hospitals and no lack of resources will ever occur to further improve the system.
He said that further hard work should be carried out to achieve the targets of ongoing reforms programme of health sector because achieving these targets will play an important role in providing better treatment facilities to the people. Effective strategy should be developed and be immediately implemented upon to achieve the targets in the districts which are lagging behind and results should be achieved by implementing the steps taken for the ailing humanity. In this regard, everyone will have to do hard work to move further with commitment because we have been blessed with tremendous resources by Allah Almighty and there is no need to look on others.
Positive results have been achieved due to the bifurcation of health sector in two parts. Keeping in view the needs of the future, a third section of the health sector should also be pondered over and final recommendations should be presented soon. The Chief Minister said that by the grace of Allah Almighty and due to the hard work of Health Department, many improvements have been achieved in the standard of medical facilities available in public sector hospitals, basic health units and rural health centers and this has given new confidence to the patients. Latest ultrasound machines have been provided to 60 BHUs and this number will be further increased soon. He said that vaccination coverage has been expanded but efforts should be accelerated to further expand it.
He maintained that effective monitoring of ongoing health reforms programme is very essential. Meanwhile, 100 filter clinics have been set for control of hepatitis in the hospitals across the province. An organized awareness campaign should be launched about adoption of precautionary measures for saving from hepatitis. On the other side, infection control programme is being implemented in an effective manner in the hospitals which are being made infection-free for the first time in the history of the country.
Incinerators are also being set up to dispose of the solid waste of the hospitals, he added. The Chief Minister directed that lady health workers should be given training to keep them abreast of modern needs and requirements and the LHVs showing good performance should be encouraged. Similarly, nutrition of mother and child should be given particular importance and an organized awareness campaign should be launched about the utility of lactation for the infants. Special TB Centers will be established in public sector hospitals under TB Control Programme to provide 100 percent free healthcare facilities.
The Chief Minister expressed the satisfaction that every step of the Punjab government is aimed at benefiting the ailing humanity and added that people serving the patients are crown of his head. I shall fully encourage such ministers, officers and officials, he added. The Chief Minister commended the performance of provincial ministers Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Kh. Imran Nazir, Advisor Umar Saif, Chairman P and D, Secretary P and S Health, Members Health P and D, CEO PPHA and other officials over their good performance in health sector reforms programme. Provincial Ministers Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Kh. Salman Rafiq, Kh. Imran Nazir, Advisor Dr. Umar Saif, Addl. Chief Secretary, Chairman P and D, Secretaries of Finance and P and S Healthcare, CEOs Infrastructure Development Authority Punjab and Punjab Healthcare Commission, VC UHS, medical experts, high officials and others attended the meeting.
For more information, contact:
Directorate General Public Relations, Punjab (DGPR)
Government of the Punjab
21-Mahmood Gaznavi Road (Abbot Road), Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99201390-1-2
Fax: +92-42-99201371-2
E-mail: info@dgpr.punjab.gov.pk
Website: www.dgpr.punjab.gov.pk