Punjab CM wants health projects expedited

LAHORE:

Calling for the completion of the construction and revamping of the Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centres (RHCs) along with major hospitals across Punjab by June next year, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has decided to pay a special allowance to doctors working in the facilities in remote areas.

The chief minister was informed during a meeting that Phase-I of the construction of the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Care Hospital has started with an estimated cost of Rs46 billion. The hospital will have cancer care clinics, state-of-the-art facilities, world-class doctors who will be provided residences, solar sheds and parking, besides inns and restaurants for the patients' relatives.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz issued directive to increase the number of beds in the phase from 100 to 150. However, In the second phase, more than 280 beds can be added.

The chief minister was apprised that the supply of medicines is being ensured in all healthcare centres across Punjab.

She evaluated a proposal to establish a specialised hospital for bone marrow transplant, besides a suggestion to start a free insulin programme in Punjab.

The chief minister called for starting construction of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha as soon as possible, and reviewed issues related to the outsourcing of angiography services. She noted, "Monitoring is essential in every sector, a system of continuous monitoring of hospitals is being developed.”

She directed the health secretary to evaluate the facilities available in hospitals vis-a-vis the number of patients.

She ordered the completion of health projects on priority, besides optimal utilsaation of the already-available infrastructure.

She accorded approval to a project to implant artificial limbs for disabled persons, besides agreeing to establish a cancer treatment unit at Qatar Hospital in Bhakkar.

She also agreed to a proposal to establish a big hospital in Rajanpur.

The CM had a detailed review of health projects of each division of Punjab, and asked the departments concerned to submit the timeline of each project.

She also considered conversion of the Simli TB Hospital to a general hospital, besides establishing medical colleges in every district on a public private partnership basis.

She was informed that ,”50% students in these medical colleges will be admitted on government merit.”

She was also informed that the Installation of a system for keeping digital record in primary and rural health centres has been completed.

The chief minister approved handing over of Government Data Durbar Eye Hospital to the Auqaf Department.

Meanwhile, PML-N MNA Malik Afzal Khokhar met the chief minister and also commended her on the valuable services provided by the Clinics on Wheels in the suburbs of Lahore.

The CM said the Lahore Development Plan includes construction of water supply and drainage system, connecting roads and paved streets, installation of street lights and maintenance of parks.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2024.