Punjab

Govt working on innovative solutions for healthcare challenges

Health minister says public-private partnerships are pivotal to solve complex problems

Our Correspondent December 28, 2017

Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Khawaja Imran Nazir. PHOTO: EXPRESS

LAHORE: Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir said that emerging health challenges required innovative solutions. He added the department was working towards synergies and partnerships.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Punjab AIDS Control Program (PACP) Testing Centre in Munshi Ladda Bagh in Karim Park area of Lahore, he underscored that synergy and public-private partnerships were pivotal to solve complex problems of the healthcare sector.

He said that the centre was providing multipurpose solutions, including school education, vocational training by the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) and interest-free loans, through Akhuwat, to marginalised communities under one roof.

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“The government is committed to provide healthcare services to citizens, especially marginalised communities and high risk groups. I congratulate PACP for introducing out-of-the-box initiatives and developing integrated development solutions in collaboration with the WCLA and Akhuwat.”

Akhuwat Executive Director Dr Amjad Saqib said his nongovernment organisation, Akhuwat, was focusing on underprivileged communities. The organisation had so far disbursed small loans worth Rs35 billion through the Punjab Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme to deserving people with a recovery rate of over 99%, he added.

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Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) Director General Kamran Lashari emphasised that government organisations may synergise their activities for better outcomes. “For shared objectives, resources may be synergised and public welfare must be the ultimate objective of all,” he maintained.

These testing centres offer free medical tests for HIV, hepatitis B, C, blood group, besides providing much needed awareness regarding HIV, hepatitis B and C under the PACP.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2017.