CM orders health units' revamp by Dec 31

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has set the deadline of December 31 for completion of the revamping of all health centres across the province.

According to an official statement, the chief minister said the project of revamping and rehabilitating 1,236 health centres in Punjab was in full swing.

She said the dilapidated healthcare centres would be converted into makeshift clinics.

The chief minister said 286 health centres of central Punjab, 363 of the north zone and 587 of South Punjab were included in the revamping project.

The revamping of 20 per cent centres in central Punjab, 28% in north and more than 25% in South Punjab has been completed.

She added, "The work of transforming 1,219 health centres into family clinics is going on at a fast pace. Plastering of 772 units, flooring of 384 and finishing of 74 units are in progress."

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the basic health centres would be converted into modern clinics. The shortage of doctors and other staff will also be addressed.

"We will build such clinics in villages of Punjab that will be better than the private hospitals of cities," she asserted. She said providing best health facilities at the doorsteps of people would reduce the burden of patients on big hospitals.

She directed the authorities concerned to ensure the best construction standards while revamping the healthcare centres.