Universal health insurance needs to be improved

LAHORE: Regional Representative of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Dr Ahmed Jamal Khan called on Provincial Minister for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique at the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company on Monday.

Kh Salman Rafique and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation delegation discussed various proposals regarding further improvement in universal health insurance. On this occasion, CEO Punjab Health Initiative Management Company Dr Ali Razaq, Samia Liaquat Ali Khan, Imran Shaukat and Behzad Taimur were also present.

The minister said that the universal health insurance programme has a lot of room for further improvement. We want to provide the real benefits of health card to the people. Under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister, the universal health insurance programme will be improved. The health card will be made beneficial for the people in every way.

Public service in true sense

Provincial Minister for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique and Provincial Minister of Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir paid a detailed visit to Department of Punjab Emergency Services (PES) Thokar Niaz Baig on Monday. PES Secretary Dr Rizwan Naseer and other officials were also present on this occasion.

Khawaja Salman Rafique while addressing the youth said that I want to pay tribute to every rescuer present here today. Under the supervision of Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, we will serve the people in true sense.

We have seen rescuers leading in many incidents. “Together with the doctors, we will improve the health sector and provide more safety facilities to the rescuers. All buildings in Punjab should be constructed as per prescribed SOPs”.

Khawaja Imran Nazir on this occasion appreciated Dr Rizwan Naseer’s efforts for the service of humanity. The Almighty Allah has placed the responsibility of serving humanity on all of us. “The borders of provinces do not mean anything to us. We want such emergency services in all parts of the country, including KP”.

Provincial ministers reviewed and participated themselves in the practical exercises at the PES Academy where Dr Rizwan Naseer briefed about the affairs of the department.The ministers also addressed the youth who came from Sindh province to receive advanced training in rescue operations at the PES Department.

PES Secretary Dr Rizwan Naseer on this occasion said that till date, the relief services have been provided to more than one crore and four million citizens across the province while two million citizens have been provided assistance through motorbike rescue service. Punjab Emergency Services Department is providing emergency services of international standard to the public. We are going to start Air Ambulance service soon, he added.