Health insurance scheme from March

LAHORE
A five-member delegation of the GIZ Germany met Secretary Health Punjab Jawad Rafiq Malik at his office on Thursday.
According to a handout, the delegation was led by Consultant Public Health Programme Eberhard Koob. GIZ Reprensentative in Pakistan Imran Masood also included in the delegation, while Special Secretary Health Gulzar Hussain, Director General Health Dr. Amjad Shehzad, Member Health P&D Dr. Shabana and Additional Programme Manager Policy and Strategic Planning Unit Dr. Zahida Sarwar were also present. Secretary Health informed the delegation about the reforms in health sector and the measures taken on the instructions of Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif for protection of the rights of the poor patients.
Jawad Rafiq Malik said besides federal government, the Punjab government is also launching health insurance scheme and it is expected to begin in March 2016. He said preparations are being completed for this purpose. He said five firms have been short-listed for health insurance scheme which will give their bids. Whinin a week, the firm qualifying for this purpose will be given the assignment.
Secretary Health further said Punjab Health Management Initiatives Company (PHMIC) has been set up to manage the affairs of the health insurance scheme. He said Health Department has given targets to its health managers and they have been empowered. He said incentives are also being given for their encouragement. He said transparency is given top priority in procurement of any item and PAPRA rules are strictly followed. He said District Health Authority will also be set up soon. Leader of German delegation Eberhard Koob appreciated reforms introduced in health sector, launching of health insurance scheme for providing social health protection to the poor patients and other measures taken in the field and expressed interest in promoting cooperation and finding potential areas for future long-term technical cooperation in this regard. He said GIZ will strengthen cooperation with Punjab in social security and health sector.
Secretary Health Jawad Rafiq Malik said Punjab government highly appreciates cooperation and technical input of the GIZ in the development of health and social sectors and provision of better health facilities to the patients.