Minister reviews progresson health projects

LAHORE: Provincial Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Thursday reviewed the pace of progress on different development projects in the health sector in various districts of Punjab.

Chairing a meeting at Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department, she said the corrupt N-League only displayed plaques and left a number of development projects in health sector incomplete. She said that the availability of medicines and the provision of modern healthcare facilities were being ensured in all public sector hospitals.

Health Secretary Momin Agha, Special Secretary Nadir Chaudhry, Chief Planning Officer Abdul Haq Bhatti and other officers were also present. The chief planning officer briefed the minister about the progress on various development projects.

Dr Yasmin Rashid asked from the officers concerned about the progress of various development projects, including Fatima Jinnah Institute of Dental Sciences at Jubli Town, Punjab Institute of Neuro, lecture theatres in Nishtar Medical College, setting up of Medical College in Bahawalnagar, water supply and sewerage in Bahawalpur Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, performance management system, health reporting system and conversion of Sialkot DHQ into teaching hospital. She said that all the development projects should be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

She also reviewed the activities being carried out in the anti-dengue campaign. She said action had been taken against those who showed negligence in the campaign. She said that the number of dengue patients had substantially reduced as a result of anti-dengue campaign launched by the government in Rawalpindi.

water filtration plant: Provincial Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Thursday inaugurated a new water filtration plant on Mohni Road. Lahore Divisional Commissioner Asif Bilal Lodhi and a large number of locals were present.

Dr Yasmin Rashid said that installation of water filtration plant would ensure provision of clean drinking water to the people of the area. She appreciated the role of Asif Bilal Lodhi in the installation of the plant. She also thanked the Sillani Trust, a NGO which provided assistance in the installation the plant.

notices: The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has issued show-cause notices for 30 private hospitals of the City not properly implementing the guidelines of the Dengue Expert Advisory Group (DEAG).

The 30 hospitals have also been directed to submit compliance reports after implementing the guidelines. The PHC teams had carried out special inspections of the hospitals for ensuring the best and safe treatment facilities to the dengue patients. In these hospitals, facilities of dengue desk, information and awareness about dengue, separate beds and wards for dengue patients, dengue management charts, employment of DEAG-trained staff, reporting of dengue cases received, admitted, treated and referred, lab test facilities and displaying of charges and ICU were inspected.

A PHC spokesperson said that special attention had been paid to the implementation of the DEAG guidelines and treatment of the dengue patients. “The PHC is continuing its inspections of hospitals in all the districts where the danger of dengue is looming,” he added.