Jail hospitals’ control transferred to P&SHD

LAHORE:The Punjab government has transferred the control of hospitals of Prisons Department to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department.

The Punjab government has taken this step in order to streamline the existing healthcare management to improve the treatment of prisoners in line with the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan, International best practices, and guidelines of the United Nations (UN).

Punjab Home Department has notified that caretaker Punjab cabinet, on the recommendations of Standing Committee of Cabinet, on Legislative Business & Privatisation (SCCLB&P), has approved the interventions in the existing Prison's healthcare management system in Punjab.

Under this initiative, the jail hospitals and 20-bed Drug Addicts Rehabilitation Centres, including their management and budgetary control have been transferred from Punjab Prisons Department to Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD). The District Prisons Health Council (DPHC) will be established in the line of the already working Health Council for DHQ Hospitals. The postings and transfers of all medical / paramedical staff shall rest with P&SHD.

The P&SHD shall be responsible for the procurement of medicine and medical equipment. It will also be responsible for the construction, repair and maintenance of jail hospitals.

The cadre of para-medics of Punjab Prisons has been declared as a dying cadre. The present incumbents will continue to perform their duties at the strength of Punjab Prisons. The posts vacated by present incumbents will automatically be abolished on their retirement.