LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has launched the “Clinics-on-Boats” service to provide medical treatment to flood victims.
On her directions, “Clinics-on-Boats” have also been set up in the flood-hit areas across Punjab, where health teams are actively providing medical care to flood-affected people.
The chief minister reaffirmed her commitment to treating flood victims, especially women and children, in relief camps. She said that historic health services were being provided during what she termed the biggest flood in Punjab’s history.
She said that an integrated programme had been launched to restore healthcare for women and children in flood-affected districts, ensuring the best possible medical facilities for victims.
Officials briefed the chief minister that 968 medical relief camps had been established in flood-affected areas, with special arrangements for the treatment of women and children.
Doctors and staff are available for the check-up of pregnant women, while multivitamins, sanitary kits, and other essential items have been stocked in every flood relief camp. A rural ambulance service is also available round the clock to transfer pregnant women to the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic or nearby hospitals.
Specialist doctors are visiting each camp daily to treat children, and special arrangements have been made for the routine vaccination of newborns.
On the chief minister’s directions, measures have also been taken for the treatment of insect bites, skin infections, cholera, malaria, and stomach diseases in flood relief camps. Adequate stocks of ORS, antibiotics, and other essential medicines are available.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also visited the Chuhng flood relief camp, mingled with flood victims, and consoled them. She was informed by the commissioner and deputy commissioner that 4,891 villages had been affected by the flood torrents in Lahore. A total of 36,658 people and 13,621 cattle had been evacuated and shifted to safer places. Seven flood relief camps, 17 medical relief camps, and nine livestock relief camps have been established in Lahore.
At a meeting, the CM announced strict measures to stabilise wheat, flour, and bread prices, warning that hoarding and profiteering would not be tolerated.
She directed the authorities to ban the use of wheat in feed mills through the imposition of Section 144. On her instructions, special powers have been granted to SDOs of PERA to check wheat hoarding and take the strictest legal action against violators. She also ordered strict action against those who attempt to raise the prices of flour and bread under the guise of floods.
Officials briefed her that price control magistrates had been immediately mobilised to curb wheat hoarding. Maryam said that the price of bread must not rise above Rs14, while the price of a 20-kg flour bag should not exceed Rs1,810.