Outsourced BHUs start operations
Health Department has planned clustering of Basic Health Units. PHOTO: REUTERS
Ninety-one Basic Health Units (BHUs) in Rawalpindi district have formally begun operations as Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics after being outsourced under a new Punjab government initiative.
Each clinic is being paid over Rs0.8 million monthly for salaries and medicines, and Rs25,000 for maintenance. These clinics provide free medical treatment and recover their operational costs through billing the Punjab government.
According to sources, there were previously 98 BHUs operating under the District Health Authority. However, most lacked doctors, essential staff, and medicines, while many buildings were in a dilapidated state.
The government has now completed the revamping of 39 buildings, while renovation work continues on 53 more. So far, 91 of these have been outsourced.
Each Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic now has a male or female MBBS doctor, two or three lady health visitors, one dispenser, one sweeper, and one security guard. The clinics are equipped with essential medicines and basic laboratory testing facilities to ensure timely treatment for patients.
District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Naveed Akhtar Malik said seven more BHUs are in the process of being outsourced.
He added that all Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics are monitored by the District Health Authority and that outsourcing has yielded "remarkably positive results."
"Now every patient finds doctors and staff available at the clinics, and medicines are provided as per need. Patients requiring further treatment are referred to teaching hospitals," said Dr Malik.
He explained that each clinic submits a monthly bill of Rs 808,993 through the District Health Authority to the Punjab Health Department, in addition to Rs 25,000 for maintenance. All clinics operate on solar energy, offer free Wi-Fi, and have access to clean water, though gas is not available.
Dr Malik said the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics have become vital in providing quality, free healthcare close to citizens' homesoffering services far better than the former BHUs.