CM approves Dialysis Card scheme

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the first Dialysis Programme in the country with the allocation of Rs1 million for each patient.

Presiding over a meeting, she issued directives to ensure free tests and medicines for the patients and to continue their dialysis procedure under any circumstances.

It was agreed that more dialysis units would be set up in the province.

The chief minister directed the Punjab Healthcare Commission to ensure implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the dialysis centres and closely monitor them across the province.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed indignation over the spread of AIDS in Multan and sought a report about the matter within 24 hours.

She said, "Spread of AIDS among dialysis patients is not only regrettable but shameful as well. Halting dialysis procedure due to unavailability of funds is also regrettable and the service should continue."

The participants were informed that patients from other provinces were also benefiting from the free dialysis facility. Free medicines from Punjab are also being provided to Sindh, Balochistan and other areas.

The chief minister also reviewed the progress being made on other health programme and projects. It was agreed to set key performance indicators (KPIs) to for the health department.

A progress report on the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital was presented. The chief minister ordered the appointment of the head of the hospital.

A report on the ongoing projects of Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC-2) and Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha was presented. The CM called for ensuring the availability of modern technology, equipment and medicines for cardiac patients. She also directed the authorities concerned to train the specialist doctors on latest developments and appoint master trainers for the purpose.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bokhari, Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, the chief secretary, chairman of P&D, secretaries of health and finance, and other relevant officials were also present.

Meanwhile, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said while presiding over a meeting that applications from 1.4 million farmers had so far been received for the Chief Minister Punjab's Kissan Card and 495,000 of the had been approved after scrutiny.

Agricultural inputs worth Rs21 billion have been purchased through the cards.

The farmers will now also be able to withdraw 30 per cent cash through the Kissan Card.

Under the Chief Minister's Green Tractor Programme, allotment letters have been issued to 9,253 of the 9,500 successful applicants, who are required to deposit their share of payment at the bank branches by December 5 to receive their tractors.