Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. PHOTO: ONLINE
LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday directed DCOs to visit district headquarters hospitals daily and divisional commissioners to visit hospitals in their area at least once a week.
The chief minister chaired a meeting via video link to review matters regarding improvement in medical facilities at hospitals in light of his visit to the Sheikhupura DHQ hospital on Sunday.
Sharif asked commissioners and DCOs to ensure availability of medicines and equipment at hospitals. He ordered an inquiry into non-availability of a medicine at the Sheikhupura hospital. He ordered that a committee be formed to make sure that medicines were available and all machinery, including air conditioners, were functional at all hospitals.
Sharif said service to humanity was akin to worship. He announced a cash reward of Rs500,000 and a commendation certificate for Sheikhupura DHQ hospital’s Dr Adnan Qaisar for his services. He said doctors like Qaisar were rendering selfless services to the ailing humanity. He said the doctors working hard would be rewarded.
The chief minister said that it was unfair that while senior government officers had air-conditioners at work, patients had to suffer in extreme heat. “The situation is intolerable.” He said billions of rupees had been provided for the improvement of healthcare facilities and that he would make sure that the funds were spent well.
Dr Qaiser thanked the chief minister for acknowledging his services. He said he would work even harder.
Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique, Specialised Health and Medical Education Secretary, the chief secretary, the Lahore division commissioner, the primary and secondary health secretary, the Health Services director general, the Sheikhupura DCO and the Sheikhupura health EDO attended the meeting.
Pakistan-China ties
Chinese Consul General You Boren called on Sharif on Monday and discussed bilateral relations, including cooperation under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor programme.
Boren congratulated Sharif on the successful surgery of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in London. The chief minister said the prime minister was recovering fast and would be back in Pakistan soon.
Boren praised the chief minister for launching various public welfare initiatives across the province. The Planning and Development Board chairman, the specialised health and medical education secretary and the Safe Cities Authority chief operating officer were also present on the occasion.
Saaf Pani
The chief minister also chaired a meeting regarding Saaf Pani Project on Monday. A delegation of Turkish businessmen attended the meeting and showed their interest in the project. Sharif said provision of safe drinking water was being given priority. He said billions of rupees was being spent on the project. Housing Minister Tanveer Aslam Malik and the Saaf Pani Project chairman attended the meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2016.
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