Patient care

This refers to the article , ‘A win for the patient’ (July 21) by Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. The author has aptly said that “money is not the real issue here; dedication, lack of clarity and lack of cohesive approach are”. Medicine is a sacred profession and indubitably doctors are deemed as messiahs for the ailing humanity. A country with physically and mentally fit and healthy masses is better placed to soar. The article reveals that the Punjab government is taking stock of all its resources to ensure ‘patient care’ at any cost.

At the moment the health budget stands at a hefty amount of Rs207 billion. In the same way Rs30 billion has been earmarked for clean drinking water, Rs166 billion for free medicines and Rs1.5 billion for health insurance and billions more to upgrade DHQs, THQs and other health facilities. It has also been decided that merit-based certificates, awards and cash prizes will be given to medical superintendents, doctors, nurses and paramedics for showing at par performance. This pro-poor approach of government will help build confidence among the masses. It is also imperative for doctors and the rest of the hospital staff to change their attitude and level of commitment. In this way they will garner respect from the nation.

Muhammad Fayyaz

Mianwali