Public-private partnership: Punjab introduces new health model

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Khawaja Imran Nazir announced the introduction of a new health model under a public-private partnership during a meeting regarding the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics (MNHC) on Wednesday.

The minister stated that the MNHC programme would be launched in its first phase following the complete revamping of 150 Basic Health Units (BHUs). He emphasised that the health department would ensure rigorous monitoring of all medical facilities at these clinics to maintain high standards of care.

Highlighting the programme’s goals, Khawaja Imran Nazir said that the initiative aimed to financially empower doctors, reduce government intervention, and provide superior medical facilities to the general public.

Under the MNHC programme, doctors would operate independently, offering better healthcare services to patients. The clinics would be equipped with advanced medical facilities, including treatment for TB and Hepatitis, immunisation under the EPI programme, and portable X-ray machines, provided by the health department. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Project Director IRMNCH Dr Khalil, Additional Secretary Vertical Programmes Dr Jehanzaib Hussain, and Deputy Secretary Technical Dr Ahsan Riaz, who also contributed to discussions on ensuring the programme’s success.

Minister warns against lethargy in hospitals revamp

An important meeting was held in the Communication and Works Department under the chairmanship of Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and Provincial Minister for C&W Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth.

The meeting was attended by Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood, Secretary C&W Lt ® Sohail Ashraf, Special Secretary Development from the Department of Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Additional Secretary Dr Waheed Asghar, Chief Planning Officer Abdul Haq Bhatti and officers of the C&W Department. Principals, MS and XEN of all teaching hospitals concerned participated through a video link.

Provincial Ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique and Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth during the meeting reviewed the revamping project in the old blocks of Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital Gujrat, OPD of Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospital Sialkot, Punjab Dental Hospital Lahore, Services Hospital Lahore, Nawaz Sharif Yaki Gate Hospital Lahore, Mian Munshi Teaching Hospital Lahore, Lady Aitchison Hospital Lahore, Sardar Begum Teaching Hospital Sialkot, Ghulam Muhammad Hospital Faisalabad, Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital DG Khan, Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, Nishtar Hospital Multan Emergency and OPD, Children's Hospital Multan Emergency and OPD, Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi, Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi Old Blocks, DHQ Hospital Gujranwala, DHQ Hospital Rahim Yar Khan, DHQ Hospital Sargodha, Allied Hospital 1 Faisalabad, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore, Mayo Hospital Lahore, Kot Khawaja Saeed Hospital Lahore, Jinnah Hospital Lahore, General Hospital Lahore, Children's Hospital Lahore, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad and Punjab Institute of Cardiology.

The officers concerned also briefed the provincial ministers in this regard.

Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, while speaking during the meeting, said that efforts are being made to complete the ongoing revamping project in various government teaching hospitals of Punjab on time. After the completion of the ongoing revamping project in government teaching hospitals, there will be considerable ease in the treatment and care of patients. No negligence will be tolerated in the revamping project. One hundred percent transparency is being ensured in the project.

Provincial Minister for Communication and Works Department Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth said that 90 percent of the work was completed in most of the government teaching hospitals undergoing revamping. The C&W secretary was directed to complete the revamping project on time.