Priority: Steps being taken to improve health facilities, says CM

Shahbaz Sharif chairs meeting of Walled City of Lahore Authority

LAHORE: The government is making efforts to improve the health sector, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday.

He was chairing a meeting to review steps for improving medical facilities at public sector hospitals. “We want to ensure the provision of best treatment facilities to patients in hospitals. People will see the results of these efforts within a year. I will not rest until working of hospitals has been streamlined,” the CM said.

The CM said that billions of rupees had been allocated to improve the health sector. “Officials performing well will be encouraged. Those found inefficient will be removed,” he said.

The CM said that record funds had been allocated in the new budget for the health sector. “Billions of rupees are being spent every year for providing free-of-cost medicines to patients,” the CM said.

“I am paying surprise visits to hospitals to see the ground reality. The hospitals cannot go on like this. The authorities concerned will have to show results,” he said.

The chief minister commended the efficiency of Sheikhupura District Headquarters Hospital MS Dr Shehnaz Naseem for timely procurement of necessary medicines. He announced a cash award of Rs50,000 and a commendatory certificate for her.

The chief minister directed that the services of the DCO concerned to be placed at the federal government’s disposal for failing to ensure proper medical facilities to patients at the Nankana Sahib District Headquarters Hospital.

He also ordered immediate suspension of the Sheikhupura Health EDO and the Nankana Sahib DHQ Hospital MS. He also issued a warning to the Sheikhupura DCO and the health services director general.

The CM directed the commissioners and DCOs to regularly visit hospitals and take steps for their improvement.

He said that cases should be registered against the hospital staff involved in misappropriation of medicines.

WCLA

The chief minister said on Monday that conservation and maintenance of heritage was a collective responsibility.

He was presiding over a meeting of the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA).

“Conservation and restoration of historical heritage in its original form promotes tourism and creates awareness in the new generation about its history,” he said.

He said Lahore was the cultural centre of Pakistan. “There are a number of historical buildings in the Walled City. However, proper attention has not been paid to their maintenance in the past. The WCLA is now playing an effective role in this regard,” the CM said.

“It is a matter of satisfaction that under the Walled City of Lahore Project, historical buildings from Dehli Gate to Chowk Purani Kotwali have been restored. “Work has also been started on the second phase of the project from Chowk Kotwali to Masti Gate,” he said.

He said that there were a number of historical buildings and sites in other areas. He said that a plan should be evolved for solid waste management in the Walled City of Lahore. The CM also directed a committee be constituted for resolving problems facing the Walled City. He directed the WCLA director general to arrange folk music shows and mushairas in the Walled City. He appreciated the assistance of Aga Khan Heritage Foundation and other institutions in restoring historical buildings.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2016.