Maryam’s action prompts tertiary care hospitals’ infrastructure overhaul

LAHORE: Responding to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s recent hospital visits and her decisive actions against administrative heads, the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department issued comprehensive directives to overhaul healthcare infrastructure across Punjab’s tertiary care public hospitals.

During the recent visits to public hospitals, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had discovered significant shortcomings in medical facilities across the province. Her observations led to immediate actions, including the suspension of medical superintendents who failed to maintain proper healthcare standards.

On Monday at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, she removed two key officials, Principal Prof Asghar Naqi and Medical Superintendent Prof Kashif Jahangir, primarily due to the non-availability of essential medicines.

Earlier this month, she had removed Mayo Hospital Lahore chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Asghar Nauman and MS Prof Dr Faisal Masood from their posts on complaints of patients and their attendants.

According to health department officials, these administrative changes are part of a broader effort to improve healthcare standards in Punjab’s public hospitals. By holding hospital leadership directly accountable, the chief minister aims to ensure that medical facilities provide consistent, high-quality care to patients, said one official on condition of anonymity.

“The removals send a clear message that hospital administrators are responsible for maintaining adequate medical supplies, addressing patient concerns, and ensuring efficient hospital management,” the official added.

Responding to these findings and action by the chief minister, the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department on Tuesday issued comprehensive instructions to improve medical services. The department mandated that all public sector teaching hospitals ensure round-the-clock availability of essential medical supplies in emergency departments and intensive care units.

According to two separate notifications, tertiary care hospitals must now maintain a consistent stock of critical medical items like syringes, IV equipment, surgical gloves, medical tubes, and bandages. Moreover, the directive requires hospitals to display comprehensive lists of available medicines and medical supplies, ensuring transparency for patients and staff.

The reforms go beyond medical supplies. Hospitals are now required to provide comfortable waiting areas with shaded benches, water dispensers, and mist fans. A dedicated complaint counter will be established in each hospital to address patient concerns effectively.

The official further said that these changes represented a significant step towards improving healthcare infrastructure and patient care in Punjab’s public hospitals. “By focusing on essential medical supplies, patient comfort, and institutional accountability, the government aims to enhance the overall quality of healthcare services,” he concluded.