‘Action to be taken against those forcing nurses for strike’

LAHORE

Adviser to CM on Health Kh Salman Rafiq has said strict action as per law will be taken against those creating hurdles in the treatment of patients, compelling nurses for strike, bringing them out forcibly from wards and involving in hooliganism in government hospitals. 

He expressed these views while chairing a joint meeting of principals government medical colleges, medical superintendents and nursing superintendents of teaching and autonomous hospitals, according to a handout issued on Sunday. Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Najam Ahmed Shah, Special Secretary Heath Dr Sajid Chohan, senior officers of Health Department and principals of all medical colleges were present. 

Kh Salman Rafiq said the government has paid full attention to the welfare of nurses and resolving their problems and their genuine issues will be addressed in future as well. He said nurses are the backbone in healthcare system. He said besides promotion of nurses to next grade, Health Department has created hundreds of new vacancies. He said that besides salary, special allowance of Rs 10,000 is also being given to nurses of grade-16. He said all the problems can be resolved amicably and strike and protest are no solution to problems. He said no one will be allowed to deteriorate the environment of the hospitals and medical institutions.

Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Najam Ahmed Shah said merit will be upheld in Health Department and government will not compromise on merit at any cost. He said those trying to ruin the system will be dealt with strictly.

Najam Ahmed Shah said doors of his office are open for doctors and nurses and they can contact him to resolve their problems without any hurdle.

He said: “Our aim is to ensure provision of treatment facilities to the patients for which all out steps are being taken”.

Road safety: Six accidents took place due to careless and reckless driving during the first four months of the year 2016; 20,289 road safety briefings were imparted to road users while fine was imposed on 9,857 commuters on careless driving on national highways. The NH&MP imposed fine on 2,281 trucks, 1,713 trailers, 588 oil tankers, 1,612 cars and 1,500 other vehicles on the charges of rash driving. Similarly, in Okara sector, 10,889, Multan sector, 5,620 and Rahimyar Khan sector 3,780 road safety briefing education was imparted to road users in Central Zone.