Healthcare: All DHQ hospitals to be upgraded this year, says Shahbaz

Turkish police delegation calls on CM

LAHORE: Funds have been allocated for upgrades at all district headquarters hospitals (DHQs), Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday.

He said this during a visit to Sheikhupura DHQ Hospital.

“CT scan machines will be provided in all districts so that patients do not have to travel to larger cities. A mechanism is being formulated for the provision of free medicines to patients at hospitals,” the CM said.

Shahbaz Sharif reviewed availability of medical facilities at the hospital. He asked visitors about medical facilities being provided to them and the behaviour of medical staff. Talking to the chief minister, the patients and their attendants expressed satisfaction over the situation in the hospital. Talking to doctors and nurses, Shahbaz Sharif said that they should take all steps to facilitate the patients.

The CM instructed hospital administration to provide free treatment to an orphaned child, who was admitted to the hospital. The chief minister reprimanded the Sheikhupura DCO for not regularly visiting the hospital. He directed him to inspect all the medicines in the hospital’s store and submit a report.

The chief minister expressed satisfaction over the presence of paramedical staff, doctors and nurses at the hospital.

Later, the chief minister visited the Ramazan Bazaar established at Sabzi Mandi, Sheikhupura. He inspected the stalls of fruits, vegetables, sugar and flour and also checked the quality of commodities. Talking to shoppers, the chief minister said that the purpose of the bazaars was to provide relief to the people. “A crackdown is continuing against profiteers. We will not allow anyone to exploit the common man,” he said.

He said that Ramazan Bazaars had been set up throughout the province for providing quality food items to the people at subsidised rates.

He said the government machinery and elected representatives were taking all steps to ensure that the benefits of the Ramazan Package reached the people.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the prices of edible items were lower in Ramadan Bazaars than the open market. The chief minister inspected the stalls of sugar and flour and inquired from the people about their quality.

Delegation

A delegation of the Turkish National Police, led by Additional IG Nail Aydin, called on the chief minister on Sunday.

Talking to delegation, the CM said that performance of Punjab Police had improved after it was trained by the Turkish Police. He thanked them for training Punjab Police personnel. “The relationship between the two countries will be further strengthened,” he said.

The Turkish delegation congratulated the CM on the successful heart surgery of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The CM said that PM was recovering fast and would return to the country soon. Aydin said the Turkish Police would be happy to help Pakistani brothers in the future as well. The chief secretary, Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan and the IGP were also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2016.