‘Patient Transfer Service plays key role in saving lives’

Dr Rizwan Naseer says emergency service follows Turkish healthcare model in Punjab

LAHORE: Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer carried out a performance review of Patient Transfer Service (PTS) of the last six months at the Emergency Services Headquarters on Wednesday.

The Provincial Monitoring Cell briefed the DG that the PTS has shifted over 100,000 emergency critical patients from lower to higher specialised healthcare facilities in the province during the last six months. Dr Naseer said the emergency service was working in close coordination with primary and secondary healthcare department to facilitate the public in provision of healthcare facilities.



He said following the pattern of Turkish healthcare system, Punjab has begun overhauling its healthcare system under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said the Turkish model shows that it was quite possible to achieve major improvements in healthcare performance in a relatively short period of time while utilising available resources strategically.



He said the PTS has shifted over 100,000 emergency critical patients from low to specialised healthcare facilities in all districts of Punjab during last six months. He said the rescuers assigned additional duties for PTS have made it possible to ensure smooth and swift service delivery thus serving the public in real sense.

“Punjab CM has appreciated the staff of the Rescue 1122 for ensuring services delivery through Patient Transfer Service. Moreover, the PTS has started feedback system through which we are getting firsthand information of healthcare issues of the patients,” he added.



The director general has directed the DEOs (district emergency officers) to take up the issues with the Deputy Commissioners concerned keeping in view the nature of data of patients’ referral during monthly meetings of District Emergency Boards. He asked them to ensure service standards of emergency service and physical fitness of all staff in their respective districts. He further asked them to ensure effective utilisation of available resources under their command.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2017.