Shah said referral system is being introduced for this purpose to reduce the workload of tertiary hospitals by 30% or more. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: At least four hospitals across the province are being revamped by the Punjab government through technical support received from WHO.
The facilities are Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Allied Hospital Faisalabad, Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi and Children Hospital Multan.
Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Secretary Najam Ahmed Shah said this while addressing a WHO delegation at his office on Tuesday.
“The main objective of this initiative is to resolve the administrative issues, rectify deficiencies of infrastructure and improve cleanliness,” he added
According to Shah, healthcare service delivery at teaching hospitals will be improved and quality healthcare facilities would be provided to patients.
“[This is only possible] if gaps in medicine supply and storage system are removed, a dynamic system for outdoor and emergency patients is developed and a referral system is introduced for patients,” he added.
Shah said the government is welcoming the technical cooperation of international experts from WHO to revamp the tertiary care hospitals in Punjab.
According to Shah, the decision to revamp tertiary care hospitals and primary and secondary hospitals has been carried out to minimise workload at teaching hospitals, address difficulties faced by patients and improve performance and efficiency at public sector hospitals.
“It would also stop the flow of patients towards tertiary care hospitals as quality health services would be available at DHQ hospitals,” he added.
Shah said the differentiation between OPD and emergency patients is also essential.
“[This will help hospitals] pay proper attention [to them] and offer health care to patients who are in critical condition,” he said. “It is widely observed that beds in emergency wards are often filled by patients who are suffering from minor diseases.”
Shah said referral system is being introduced for this purpose to reduce the workload of tertiary hospitals by 30% or more.
“WHO experts would visit hospitals,” he said. “They will submit their technical recommendations to the secretary within a week after completion of their visit,” the secretary added.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2016.
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