Minister for expediting health projects

LAHORE:Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid directed the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department on Monday to expedite the pace of work in the ongoing projects and meet deadlines.

The minister called up a meeting at the Committee Room of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department and undertook a comprehensive status review of new as well as revamping projects of the existing facilities. Dr Yasmin Rashid said: “The government is spending Rs 8 billion on up-gradation of primary and secondary level facilities. The improvement at primary and secondary level will streamline service delivery and reduce burden at tertiary care facilities.”

The meeting was attended by Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Capt (Retd) Usman Younis, Additional Secretary (Development) Omer Farooq and senior officials from the department. The minister directed the Project Management Unit Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department to shortlist 15 BHUs for immediate improvement. The PMU is already working on the revamping project of THQ and DHQ hospitals in Punjab. In the first phase, work on 40 hospitals is in final stages while the remaining 85 hospitals are being equipped with infrastructure, HR and technical facilities in Phase-II. The up-gradation and revamping of BHU has also been entrusted with the PMU given its technical expertise and success in implementation at such scale.

The developments schemes that came under review included up-gradation of THQ Taunsa, addition of Gynae services at DHQ Bhakkar and Shorkot, establishment of Trauma Center in Gujranwala, up-gradation of RHC into a THQ level Trauma Center in Faisalabad, addition of Trauma Centre in Nowshera Virkan, provision of Dialysis facilities at THQ Muridke, up-gradation of RHC Mianwali to a THQ, up-gradation of RHC Bhaarti into THQ, addition of new facilities at Sakhi Sarwar THQ, new dispensary at Zinda Peer, up-gradation of Chakwal BHU to an RHC, up-gradation of BHU Shadan and Yehowa in DG Khan, resumption of services at District Council Dispensary in Samanundari, addition of services at THQ Kunjah and revamping and improvement of services at other BHUs and RHcs in Punjab. The minister directed that schemes planned for the current fiscal year must be completed within stipulated time frame. The minister said she herself is keeping track of the every scheme and coordinating with all relevant departments for timely completion of the projects.