Punjab, KP to work together to strengthen health sector: minister

LAHORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah called on Minister Primary and Secondary Healthcare Punjab Khawaja Imran Nazeer and discussed health issues here on Saturday.

Kh Imran Nazeer said that both provinces will benefit from each other's systems in the health sector. He said that setting aside politics, both provinces will serve the public together to strengthen the health sector.

Kh Imran Nazeer expressed these views while chairing a high-level meeting held to review the health system being launched in the province. He observed that a province cannot be free from spurious medicines until fool-proof system is in place in other provinces.

Punjab health minister said that the revamping of all DHQ and THQ hospitals in Punjab will be completed by March 2024, adding that all the structures of BHUs and RHCs will be made according to the same design.

On this occasion, KPK Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah said that the professional and technical expertise of Punjab in the health sector will be utilized for the improvement of the health system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Lauding the modern equipment and up- gradation in the health system of Punjab, Syed Qasim Ali Shah said the health sector is also being upgraded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that the provision of quality and affordable medicines in the country is the basic right of the people, which should not be compromised. The minister also reiterated to work together.

Secretary Health Ali Jan Khan gave a detailed briefing to the Minister of Health of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the health system and health insurance model of Punjab. Special Secretaries of Health Department, representatives of Punjab Healthcare Commission, Additional Secretaries, DG Drug Control, CEOs Punjab Health Initiative Management Company, PHFMC and other project directors were present.

Earlier, KPK health minister visited the Drug Testing Labs and inspected its various departments. The visiting health minister also visited Hepatitis PCR, TB BSL-3 labs and reviewed the available facilities. The provincial minister also went to the FM studio, participated in the live program and recorded his message.

Medics urged to make ‘Green Punjab’ drive a success

Principal Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI) Prof Dr Al-Fareed Zafar on Saturday has urged the health professionals, including doctors, nurses, paramedics to play an active role in making the "Green Punjab, Clean Pakistan" campaign a success.

He acknowledged that the trees are necessary for the survival of human life on the earth and forests play an effective role in the development and prosperity of the country. He expressed these views while addressing the seminar held on the theme of "climate change and the importance of tree plantation."

A campaign regarding raising public awareness to plant more and more trees was launched at AMC under CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz’s "Plant for Pakistan" throughout the province.

On this occasion, Prof Al-Fareed Zafar, faculty members, MS Prof Nudrat Sohail and doctors planted saplings under the tree planting campaign. Medical students and young doctors were also present in large numbers.

Principal PGMI/AMC denounced that due to modern industrial development, expansion of the housing sector, fuel requirements and other factors, forests are being rapidly destroyed. This has had profound adverse effects on climate change and environmental health, especially poor countries with economic instability and complex health problems are facing more environmental challenges.

Realizing this serious issue, the Chief Minister of Punjab has started a campaign to plant more and more trees in which every citizen should fulfill his responsibility and plant trees to meet these challenges and the problems arising for human health can also be controlled.

The medical experts said that lack of trees is causing problems of smog and environmental pollution which adversely affect human health. It is necessary for every citizen to participate in the plantation campaign. They highlighted that trees produce oxygen and helps to lower the temperature which also reduces the spread of diseases.

Prof Al-Fareed Zafar appealed to the doctors, nurses, paramedics to raise awareness about plantation among their friends and encourage more plantations to make successful "Clean Pakistan and Green Punjab” Campaign.