Mission of quality health facilities to be fulfilled: CM

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif chaired a meeting which reviewed matters regarding improvement of healthcare system and reorganisation of Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department. 

According to a handout, the meeting accorded approval in principle to upgrade of hospitals and improvement plan of medical facilities as well as important steps for removing the shortage of anesthetists in hospitals. The meeting decided for conducting two year’s course of anesthesia for medical officers of hospitals.

Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said provision of quality and modern medical facilities to people is his mission which will be fulfilled at all costs. He said fruits of revolutionary steps taken for the improvement of public health facilities should reach the common man at every cost. Important services will be outsourced under grade programme of hospitals, he added. Shahbaz Sharif said besides upgrade of hospitals, additional medical facilities will also be provided. He said that the experiences of Sri Lanka, Turkey and Malaysia can be benefitted regarding improvement of medical facilities in hospitals. He directed to review model hospitals set up by philanthropists in private sector for improving healthcare facilities in the hospitals. He said a lot of time has been wasted but now we will have to move speedily for improving public health facilities. The CM said fruits of resources of billions of rupees being provided for the betterment of healthcare facilities by Punjab government should reach the common man at any cost.

Giving approval to the proposal of visit of cardiologists and anesthetists of private sector to the hospitals during surgery, Shahbaz Sharif said that steps should be taken speedily for computerising the entire process of supply order of medicines, procurement, provision to hospitals and distribution to the patients. He said revolutionary reforms are being introduced for the improvement of health sector. He said work should be carried out by imbuing with the spirit of service to ailing humanity for improving healthcare system. He said a third party audit policy should strictly be implemented in all big projects of Health Department. He said drug testing labs and Chief Drug Control Office are also being reorganised.

The CM said drug testing labs of Multan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi will become functional next year. He said a plan should be presented for making Punjab Health Foundation an active and vibrant institution.

The meeting appreciated the efforts of Provincial Secretary Health Ali Jan regarding improvement of healthcare system and betterment plan of hospitals. Secretary Health Ali Jan Khan gave a briefing regarding plan of improvement of healthcare system and medical facilities in hospitals.

Adviser Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Secretaries Health, President PKLI, Chairman Planning & Development and authorities concerned were present.