Governance: Healthcare facilities being monitored, says secretary

Health secretary visits various Faisalabad hospital

FAISALABAD: “A comprehensive plan for improvement of health facilities across the province is being implemented. Steps are being taken to ensure effective monitoring of delivery of medical services,” Tertiary Health Secretary Najam Ahmad Shah said on Friday.

He was talking to newsmen following a visit to several various public hospitals.

Shah visited the Allied Hospital, the DHQ Hospital and Ghulam Muhammadabad General Hospital. Health Department’s Chief Planning Officer Abdul Haq Bhatti accompanied him.

The secretary visited the under-construction burn centre at Allied Hospital. He called for some alterations to the design. He said the building should be completed within a month.

He also examined medical facilities at various sections of the burn centre.

Later, he visited the Ophthalmology Ward and lauded efforts of Professor Muhammad Sultan for bringing the department at par with international standards.

He said the latest facilities should be available for eye patients.

He said cornea transplant facility should be appreciated. He said the Health Department would extend all-out support for further development of the ophthalmology in Allied Hospital.

Shah also inspected the emergency ward and directed the staff to perform their duties with commitment.

“Every patient should be attended properly,” he said.

Allied Hospital MS Rashid Maqbool briefed the secretary about the performance of the Allied Hospital and development projects being carried out for more facilities.

The secretary visited the kidney centre at the DHQ hospital. He appreciated the services of the doctors of the Urology Department for establishing state-of-the-art kidney centre.

He checked the performance of lithotripsy and dialyses machines.

DHQ Hospital MS Abdul Rauf briefed the secretary about various phases of establishment of the kidney centre.

They said modern machines and latest lithotripsy equipment had been installed at the centre.

The secretary was told that establishment at a kidney transplant theatre was in the works. This will be made part of the hospital’s kidney care institute.

The secretary also went to the Ghulam Muhammadabad General Hospital and took a round of various wards of the hospital.

The secretary said provision of medical facilities and enhancing healthcare in the province was a top priority of the government.

He said the government had  introduced a number of programmes under its plan for provision of quality healthcare.

He urged doctors and medical practitioners to be dedicated and professional.

“Your job is to save lives. Our job is to facilitate you in this process,” he said.

He said no public hospital should lack equipment. He said provision of free medicine should also be ensured.

The secretary warned doctors against negligence.

“You have been entrusted with lives of thousands of people,” he said. “Do not take this responsibiilty lightly.”

The secretary was on a tour of Faisalabad to review health facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th,  2016.