Availability of quality medicines to improve, says Yasmin Rashid

LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said here Friday that Punjab would see visible improvement in the availability of quality medicines, stocks and supplies with the inclusion of 440 new pharmacists in the system.

Chairing the welcome and orientation session of 440 new pharmacists who have joined the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department recently, at the King Edward Medical University Lahore, the minister said the government had hired the new pharmacists on merit and they would provide major boost to healthcare service delivery. Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Capt (r) Mohammad Usman, Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Special Secretary Ajmal Bhatti, King Edward Medical University Vice-Chancellor Dr Khalid Masood Gondal, Drug Regulatory Authority Punjab Secretary Dr Sohail, faculty members and students were also present at the occasion. Addressing the newly-recruited pharmacists, Dr Yasmin Rashid said that the PTI government believed in meaningful social development rather than infrastructure projects alone. The minister said: “We have brought around 26,000 Human Resource in the department since we took over, hired 15,000 doctors and now we have doctors available at 93% BHUs.” She said: “You have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders. You will be ensuring quality control of medicines, keeping a close eye on the availability and stock of essential medicines, ensuring patient facilitation along with stipulated tasks. You will be working with doctors and play your role in dealing cases requiring special attention.”

Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Secretary Captain (R) Muhammad Usman said that newly-recruited pharmacists would play key role in the provision of top quality treatment services to patients. “Today you are starting your life with merit. It is a matter of pride for you and your parents,” he added. King Edward Medical University Vice-Chancellor Professor Khalid Masood Gondal said in his address that recruitment of pharmacists was a great step by Dr Yasmin Rashid. Special Secretary PSH Department Ajmal Bhatti said: “Parents of newly-recruited pharmacists must be grateful to Allah on this achievement of their children. Hard work and honesty can lead a person to the heights of success and glory.

medicines: The Punjab Health Department has said there is no hurdle in provision of free-of-cost medicines to the registered cancer patients in the province.

A spokesperson for the department, in a statement on Friday, said Health Department was providing free-of-cost medicines to more than 5,000 registered cancer patients. The medicines are being provided in hospitals of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan. “There is no interruption of any kind in provision of the medicines to cancer patients,” he stated.

PITB: Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) Chairman Azfar Manzoor visited the IT Section of Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department here Friday.

On the occasion, Primary and Secondary Health Secretary Captain (R) Muhammad Usman briefed the chairman of the IT projects of the department. While the health department has decided to expand cooperation with PITB in technical matters to enhance performance.

The secretary said the health department had established the best human resource management system of the province by using the resources of the department. He said that personal files and complete data about more than 150,000 health officials were available online to save time. The record of all medicines throughout the province has also been digitalised. Meanwhile, PITB Chairman Azfar Manzoor said that IT Wing of Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department was commendable. He said that the support and resources of the PITB were always available for the betterment of the health sector. He directed its team to hand over the all completed project to P&S Healthcare.