‘Most issues of doctors, paramedics resolved’

LAHORE

Punjab Minister for Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafiq has said that mutual respect, tolerance and spirit of humanity are the basis of a civilised society, which grows further on the fundamental principles. 

He stated this while addressing a reception hosted by Punjab Paramedical Staff Association (Billa Group) in Services Hospital auditorium here on Saturday.

The association hosted the reception for the minister and Secretary Najam Ahmad Shah on getting time scale promotion and service structure to grade-4 employees. Principal Services Institute of Medical Sciences Prof. Hamid Mahmood Butt, MS Dr. Ameer Ali, Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Deputy Mayor Mian Tariq, President Paramedics Association Yousaf Billa, Arshad Butt, Rehmat Sindhu, Tanvir Bhatti and a large number of paramedics from different hospitals and YDA representatives including Dr. Atif were also present.

The minister said that protest, strike and suppression stopped the process of development and reforms. He said that during the last five, six years special attention had been paid to resolve the problems of the medical community, the provision of special pay package and service structure to them. "Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif granted billions of rupees for health sector development, construction of new hospitals and the provision of special allowances to doctors, nurses and other staff," he added.

Salman Raffique said that issues arose and were resolved but "we should uphold the respect of each other. A number of personalities contributed to providing time scale promotion to grade-4 employees including Punjab Minister for Primary Health Khawaja Imran Nazir, Secretary Health Ali Jan Khan, Chief Secretary Capt. Zahid Saeed, ACS Shumail Ahmad Khawaja and high ups of Finance Department who pleaded the case of grade-4 employees of all the departments before the chief minister."

He said no compromise would be made on security and protection of doctors and other staff in hospitals. He said that attendants of patients should admire the services of doctors, nurses and other staff who take care of patients.

Health Secretary Najam Ahmad Shah thanked the office-bearers of the paramedics association for the reception.