Chief Minister Mahmood Khan directed the K-P Health Department to ensure the functionalisation of Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals by June this year adding that efforts should be made on war footings in order to ensure that deadlines set by departments are materialised.
He added that his office will engage itself in monitoring of the timelines given by departments adding that the work progress on development initiatives should be visible to people. He also directed the health department to immediately start the distribution of Sehat Insaf Cards among people of the newly merged tribal districts.
These directives were given by the CM while chairing a progress review meeting of the K-P Health Department in which he was briefed on the departmental goals achieved during the past eight months and the future plans of the department in providing citizens of the province with better healthcare facilities.
The meeting was attended by Minsiter for Health Hisham Inamullah Khan, Advisor to Chief Minister on Merged Areas Ajmal Wazir, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Shahab Ali Shah, Secretary Health and other high ranking officials.
The chief minister was informed that during the past eight months, 26,610 patients throughout the province have been provided with medical treatment under the Sehat Insaf Card at an estimated cost of Rs600 million.
With the extension of the health insurance facilities to the merged areas, more people will be able to avail free health facilities.
While commenting on the functionalisation of hospitals and basic health units in far-flung areas of the province, the CM stated that buildings without doctors and related paramedical staff are useless and immediate steps should be taken to ensure the presence of doctors and related staff.
CM Mahmood was informed that with the new reforms, to be implemented soon, major transfers and postings will be held and every doctor will be required to practice in his district of domicile for at least two years. The decision will prove effective in ensuring presence of doctors in Basic Health Units (BHUs) and hospitals in far flung areas of the province.
In order to efficiently regulate drugs and pharmacies in the province, K-P Health Minister Hisham Inamullah Khan informed the meeting that a separate directorate has been established for the purpose.
The chief minister was also informed that 200 BHUs in various areas of the province have been upgraded to Comprehensive Health Units (CHU) which are also catering to minor surgery needs along with providing primary health services. The chief minister was informed that by 2023, at least 500 BHUs throughout the province will be upgraded to CHUs.
With regards to the shortage of doctors and related staff in hospitals, the chief minister was informed that the case for creation of 1,983 additional posts have been moved in order to cope with the dearth of medical staff whereas 520 posts have already been created for Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals.
The Chief Minister was also briefed on the projects to be completed within one year time that includes establishment of hospital for Children and Women in District Charsadda, establishment of Medical & Allied ward in Lady Reading Hospital and Casualty Block in Khyber Teaching Hospital.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 17th, 2019.
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