‘PHF smart loan scheme by year-end’

LAHORE

Secretary Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Najam Ahmed Shah has said that Smart Loan Scheme from the platform of Punjab Health Foundation is being launched by the end of the current year for providing interest-free loans to the doctors, dentists, nurses and other health professionals for establishing their clinics to provide medical cover to the people. Under this scheme, loans of Rs200,000, Rs700,000 and Rs2,500,000 would be offered to the interested persons.

He said while talking to the media persons after presiding over a meeting of technical and finance committee of Punjab Health Foundation here on Tuesday, according to a handout issued here. Dr Amjad Saqib gave presentation on the smart loan scheme and briefed about the micro details of the scheme. He informed that three types of loan packages would be introduced under the smart loan scheme. The first package would be of Rs200,000 for registered hakeems, homoeopaths, nurses etc. and the second package would be of up to Rs700,000 for doctors, dentists, medical practitioners and third package would be of Rs2,500,000 for establishing big clinics. He said the first two loan packages would be offered on the basis of social collateral while social and physical collateral would be required for getting loan of Rs2,500,000.

Punjab Health Foundation Managing Director Dr Sohail Saqlain informed that recovery of the loan had been recommended through monthly installments in a period of three to four years. Dr Sohail Saqlain said that no markup would be levied on these loans. He disclosed that PHF had introduced a helpline 0800-99000 for the convenience of general public and the applicants to get information and guidance regarding these loans scheme.

Secretary Specialised Healthcare Najam Ahmed Shah said the government would set up endowment and revolving funds separately for the income of PHF and disbursement of loans to the health professionals. He said that Punjab Healthcare Commission would also be taken on board for verification of eligibility of the candidates/applicants. He said that minimum service delivery standards would be ensured. Secretary Health was of the view that smart loans scheme would not only provide employment opportunities to the doctors and other health professionals but it would also enhance the healthcare facilities and improve quality of healthcare services.

Tevta: Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) will recruit 1,000 teachers and other staff during the current year. 

According to a press release, Tevta chairperson Irfan Qaiser while addressing a meeting at Tevta secretariat on Tuesday said the newly appointees would work to train youth in recently established Tevta Institutes under Annual Development Programme (ADP) and prisoners in 15 jails across Punjab. Irfan Qaiser said Tevta has constituted recruitment committees in which president district board of management concerned and expert subject specialists had been included. 

PU: The Punjab University Law College has announced starting classes of LLB Part-II and Part-III from Wednesday (today). 

According to a press release, the classes were facing a delay because of a case of admissions in LLB three years programme in Lahore High Court. Since the case was pending, the PU Law College could not admit students in LLB Part 1 of three years programme and now after judgment, PU administration has released advertisement for admissions in LLB 3 years and 5 years programmes and has also scheduled LLB part 2 and Part 3 classes.

Earlier, LHC had allowed admissions in LLB 3 years programme for the current academic year after hearing a petition filed by PU Law College seeking permission to admit students in LLB 3 years programme in the current academic year. Earlier, Pakistan Bar Council had imposed a ban on admission in LLB 3 years programme, in which candidates are admitted having 14 years of education.