First community health centre opens at Shah Allah Ditta

SAPM on Health Zafar Mirza says govt to upgrade 16 BHUs, 3 RHCs

ISLAMABAD: The federal government will upgrade 16 basic health units (BHU) and three rural health centres (RHCs) in Islamabad to community health centres.

The initiative is part of Model Healthcare System envisaged for the federal capital, said Special Adviser to PM on Health Zafar Mirza inaugurating the first community health centre at Shah Allah Ditta suburb of Islamabad.

Upgrading 16 BHUs and three RHCs will cost around Rs2 billion, Mirza said who was accompanied by Minster for Planning Asad Umar.

The community health centers will provide basic healthcare services for treatment of minor ailments like fever, cough cold, indigestion and infections. Minor surgery, pathological tests and family planning facilities will also be available here.

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These centres will be fully equipped to provide mother and child care and safe childbirth. Meanwhile, the staff at Community Health Centres will prepare computerised data of patients having complex diseases, so that they could be referred to major hospitals, along with their data.

The main purpose of upgrading these community centers is to ensure that the public receives basic health care at their doorstep.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said that they have initiated reforms in the health sector in Islamabad. For the first time in Pakistan, integrated health care system is being carried, and also for the very first time computerised data will now be made of the patient. According to the constitution, the provision of basic health services to the people is the first priority of the state. In the past the health sector was ignored, today we are taking revolutionary initiatives in the health sector; this center is an important model for health reform all over the country; all health centers and hospitals will use the same health management information vsoftware; all centers and hospitals will be e-connected  for the referral system.

SAPM Mirza said that the primary health center is now being renamed as Community Health Centers under the ICT Model Health Care initiative. Citing the upgradation of the centers, he added that this historic step will reduce the burden  of patients at major hospitals. The scope of treatment facilities in the community center has now been extended; now 94 patients will get the basic health care facilities in the community health centers where ambulances will be available 24 hours.

Mirza said the PTI government was adamant in providing healthcare facilities to the people at their doorstep. He said the government will ensure availability of necessary medical staff, medicines, equipment and other supplies at the Community Health Centres.

He said the government would make improvements in other health centres in the federal capital besides ensuring services at hospitals with having all required facility for patients.

A sufficient number of medical and paramedical staff had been deputed at the centre to serve patients, he added. He said doctors would be available round the clock in the centre.

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Mirza said top quality patient-care facilities would be provided at the centre. He said that the Islamabad was being transformed into a model health city which would set an example for the provinces and regions across the country to emulate.

Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said that the government had clear vision to change the life of common man by initiating several mega development projects for them.

He said that the health was the top most priority of the government and more funds would be allocated for improving the standard of health care services being given to people.

He added under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the ministry of health was fully committed and there was high resolve to bring revolutionary changes in health sector.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2019.