Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched a Traffic Response Unit in Lahore on Wednesday.
Chief Traffic Officer Ammara Athar said while briefing the chief minister about the initiative that the special response unit will reach an area affected by traffic jam upon receiving a call on the helpline number number 15.
The unit of 50 heavy bikes and 100 wardens will take immediate action to clear the traffic. The Traffic Response Unit has been given special training for a month, besides a first aid course by the Red Crescent Society.
A public address system and first aid box will also be installed on each motorbike, and the traffic warden's activity will be recorded with a camera.
The chief minister called for providing alternative places for carts obstructing the traffic.
She inspected a motorbike of the Traffic Response Unit and enquired about the training of wardens and other issues. She also listened to a message to be delivered through the public address system in case of a traffic jam.
The chief minister later chaired a meeting in which the implementation of an Intelligent Traffic Signal Management System in Lahore was reviewed.
She directed the officials concerned to improve the flow of traffic in Lahore at the earliest. The chief minister also called for an effective awareness campaign on lane restrictions for rickshaws and motorbikes, in order to ensure traffic discipline.
She gave directions to carry out effective and sustainable planning for the elimination of encroachments on roads. She called for restoring screens installed for traffic guidance.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, IG Punjab Usman Anwar, Lahore Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood, Deputy Commissioner Rafia Haider, CCPO Bilal Kamiana, officials of TEPA, Safe City Authority and other relevant departments attended the meeting.
Hospital fire
Chairing a meeting to review health sector reforms for the second day, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz constituted a three-member committee headed by Punjab Adviser Azhar Kayani to fix responsibility, for the death of eight children in a fire in a hospital in Sahiwal.
"We all are responsible, we must answer," she said.
She said the people found culpable for the tragic incident after the inquiry should be put behind the bars.
“The entire health system needs to be overhauled," she said and added that a monitoring and accountability system must be introduced. She ordered complete mapping to determine the needs and problems of public sector hospitals across Punjab.
During a presentation, the chief minister got furious upon seeing a video of a baby bleeding in the emergency ward of the Children's Hospital. She reprimanded the health department officials over the negligence.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also directed the authorities concerned to rectify weaknesses in vaccination. She said, "Urgent measures should be taken for a measles vaccination campaign in Punjab.” She approved a proposal to increase the number of field hospitals to 105 to serve the tehsils. She also approved the revamping of 11 major hospitals in different cities.
The CM was informed that a plan had been prepared to ensure the presence of specialist doctors in small and remote hospitals. She urged measures to eliminate waiting list of cardiac patients.
The chief minister also approved a programme to rid Punjab of substandard and spurious medicines. She directed the authorities concerned to install biometric systems in hospitals to ensure attendance of doctors, medical staff and nurses.
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