Jam Kamal vows to resolve doctors’ issues

Says it would be a shame, if govt fails to provide better treatment facilities to people

QUETTA: While reiterating commitment to resolve issues of doctors in government hospitals and offering them special packages, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal has said no lapse or negligence will be tolerated in health department “as it involves lives of people”.

“The government will provide special packages and other facilities to doctors, but we also have many expectations from doctors. Hopefully the doctors will meet these expectations through their performance and serious attitudes,” the chief minister said on Monday.

Jamal Kamal, who also holds portfolio of the health ministry, was chairing an important meeting at the Chief Minister Secretariat with medical superintendents of Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Helpers Hospital, Benazir Hospital, Fatima Jinnah Chest and General Hospital and Mufti Mahmood Memorial Hospital,

Finance secretary, Communications and works (C&W) secretary, Quetta deputy inspector general (DIG), Quetta commissioner and deputy commissioner and health officials also attended the meeting.

The meeting was called to review issues related to the health sector and improvement of sanitation and treatment facilities at government hospitals in the provincial capital.

The meeting also discussed other matters like hospital budget, human resources, financial management options, availability of medication and medical machinery repair.

The participants agreed that situation of hospital could improve by raising budget of hospitals, increasing the financial and non- administrative powers of the medical superintendents and delegation of powers at lower levels.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said modern and improved treatment facilities are available to the public at their doorsteps.   “Public can also monitor performance of the health department and hospitals and provide feedback through social media,” Kamal said.

The CM said changes have been made at the highest level in the health department for bringing about improvement in line with public expectations.  “No one would be allowed to pressure the doctors and hospital staff. They must perform their duties without any influence,” he said.

He assured senior doctors that problem identified by them will be addressed.

Jam Kamal said the health department functions differently compared to other departments as here “time is of utmost importance”.  “Lives of people are linked to performance of health department. There is no room for negligence by the department,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2019.