279 ventilators procured for govt teaching hospitals

Health minister says process was halted due to policies of former govt

LAHORE: Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid stated that 279 ventilators have been procured for public sector teaching hospitals in the province.

She expressed these views while chairing a meeting regarding distribution of ventilators on Wednesday. Special Secretary Mian Shakeel, Additional Secretary Dr Suleman Shahid, Additional Secretary Development Asif Tofail, Technical Advisor Dr Akhter Rasheed and other officers were present on this occasion.

Rashid claimed that the procurement of ventilators was halted due to the failed policies of the former government. She maintained that the 279 ventilators would be distributed at different teaching hospitals according to their needs.

She added that all resources are being utilised to provide the maximum relief to the people of Punjab in the health sector. She said that the special secretary will finalise the list of teaching hospitals where ventilators will be distributed.

Meanwhile, at another meeting presided over by the health minister at Civil Secretariat on Wednesday, anti-dengue activities being conducted throughout the province were reviewed.

Punjab Chief Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar directed the DCs to submit a report by October 3 (today) after taking action against those found guilty of negligence.

The health minister claimed that the dengue situation is getting better throughout the province by taking timely action. She added that the pace of dengue activities has been accelerated by providing additional resources to affected districts.

“According to the instructions issued by the prime minister, anti-dengue activities are being monitored round-the-clock,” she said. Officials found guilty of submitting false reports will not be spared. Strict action will be taken in this regard, she said.

Meanwhile, the chief secretary directed the Punjab Information and Technology Board to take steps for entering the data of hospitals in Lahore and Rawalpindi.

Provincial ministers Saeed-ul-Hassan Jafferi, Raja Yasir Humayon and other officials were also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2019.