Health professionals get awards

LAHORE

Punjab Minister for Primary & Secondary Health Khawaja Imran Nazir has said that public sector hospitals are providing best healthcare facilities to millions of people and every new day is bringing improvement in health sector.

He observed that the state-run hospitals are overloaded because no patient is denied treatment. He said the Punjab government introduced the tradition of awarding health professionals and it would be further enhanced.

He expressed these views while addressing “Sehat Khidmat Awards” distributing ceremony for best performing health professionals of DHQ, THQ hospitals, RHCs and Basic Health Units at a local hotel on Wednesday, according to a handout issued here. These awards were given to the best doctors, WMOs, surgeons, physicians, nurses, paramedics and janitorial staff on the basis of performance according to the KPIs set by the department on monthly basis.

Acting governor of Punjab Rana Iqbal was the chief guest on this occasion. Minister of State for Health Saira Afzal Tarar, Specialised Healthcare Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, Population Welfare Minister Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz, Higher Education Minister Raza Ali Gillani, Local Government  Minister Mansha Ullah Butt and other provincial ministers, MNAs, MPAs, Lord Mayor Lahore, secretary P&S Health Ali Jan Khan, principals and medical superintendents of medical colleges/hospitals, representatives of international development partners and a large number of employees of the department also attended the ceremony.

Kh Imran Nazir said that rapid reforms are being done in health sector according to the vision of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the first time the ceremony for the encouragement and acknowledgement of the talent and services of health professionals is being organised. He said that information technology has been introduced in the department at every level and now, we can check the stock and expiry date of any medicine of DHQ or THQ hospital of a remote district while sitting in Lahore. The minister said that cash awards are being distributed among the health professionals of 21 different categories.

Addressing the ceremony, Specialised Healthcare Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said that Punjab is the only province which has eradicated tetanus in pregnant women and the international partners, including WHO has certified this fact. He said that Punjab province has introduced rota virus vaccine to protect infants/children from diarrhoea and routine immunisation under EPI programme has reached 90 percent which is a record. Khawaja Salman Rafique revealed that hard working and courteous attitude is the key to success in health sector which can bring pleasant change in working of the hospitals.

State Minister Saira Afzal Tarar said that health sector in Punjab has improved tremendously but without controlling population, hospitals could not be sufficient for the patients. She said quality healthcare is being provided in the hospitals due to that huge rush of patients is being observed in these health facilities.

Addressing the function, acting Governor Rana Iqbal said the chief minister is focusing on health sector development and both the health ministers and their teams are working with dedication to introduce reforms according to the vision of the chief minister. He congratulated the award winner health professionals and said the journey of hardworking and services should be continued. On this occasion, the acting governor and both the ministers gave away cash prizes and certificates to the officers, doctors, nurses, paramedical staff on their outstanding performances.