Govt investing billions to improve healthcare: CM

Says hepatitis filter clinics to be set up in other cities;

country fast moving towards progress, prosperity

LAHORE

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a three-hour-long meeting on Sunday which overviewed programmes related to provision of modern and quality medical facilities to people. 

Addressing the meeting, the CM said it is the right of common man to have quality medical facilities at hospitals and that is why the Punjab government is investing billions of rupees to improve the healthcare system of the province so that quality medical facilities must be given to the common people which are usually given to the elite class people. The CM said that Pakistan’s first hepatitis filter clinic has started providing medical facilities to the patients and in the similar manner hepatitis filter clinics will also be set up in other cities of the province where in addition to hepatitis diagnosis and medical facilities, vaccination facility will also be provided. The CM directed to give final shape to the plan for setting up of hepatitis filter clinics in other cities so that this important programme may be initiated as soon as possible. The CM said ultrasound machines will be provided to basic health centres of the province and lady health visitors will be given training for operating these ultrasound machines. The CM directed to prepare framework for increase in grants-in-aid for private hospitals and to establish a committee in this regard which may prepare and present final recommendations for provision of grants-in-aid to private hospitals and quality medical services to the patients.

The CM said that billion of rupees will be spent on extending the scope of Health Insurance Programme but these are not expenditures and in fact investment for the provision of modern medical facilities to the common man. 

TURKISH HEALTH DELEGATION MEETS CM: A delegation from Turkish Health Ministry called on Shahbaz Sharif. The delegation was led by Turkish Health Ministry Managing Director for International Health Policies Selami Kilic. While talking to the delegation, the CM said Pakistan and Turkey have strong brotherhood relations and hearts of people from both the countries beat in unison. The CM said under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Pakistan is fast moving towards progress and prosperity. All the citizens of Pakistan enjoy equal rights. The CM appreciated the cooperation and assistance from Turkish Health Ministry experts and doctors for improving the healthcare system in the province. 

CM GRIEVED: The CM expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of four-year old girl due to kite string in Quaid-e-Azam Colony Chakri road area of Rawalpindi. The CM offered condolences to the bereaved family and ordered action against the persons responsible for negligence. The CM ordered suspension of SHO Police Station Saddar Beroni Khalil Bhatti. The CM said that it is very unfortunate that the law regarding ban on kite flying has not been implemented in its true letter and spirit. The CM said ban on kite flying should be strictly implemented. 

DEATH CONDOLED: The CM visited the residence of Raiwind Farm caretaker late Haji Sarfraz Sunday and expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over his death.