CM Maryam orders updated free medicines list

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the preparation of a revised medicines list for government hospitals and a foolproof mechanism to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential drugs.

Presiding over a meeting on health projects, the chief minister ordered the formation of a committee to finalise the list.

She expressed concern over reports of medicine shortages despite substantial budget allocations, noting that Rs80 billion was being spent on medicines and any lapse in delivery to patients is "unacceptable."

The meeting also reviewed proposals to modernise public hospitals, including the potential use of Chinese-manufactured medical equipment to upgrade healthcare facilities across the province.

Taking notice of public complaints, CM Maryam Nawaz approved, in principle, the installation of body cameras for security guards, ward boys, nurses, and pharmacy staff.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also directed hospitals' administration to ensure comprehensive daily steam cleaning of facilities by 9:00am.

The CM ordered a ban on the use of mobile phones by doctors and nurses during duty hours, stressing that patient care must remain the foremost priority.

To strengthen hospital management, the meeting approved the creation of a medical superintendents' (MS) pool, with salary increments linked to performance.

Community health inspectors were also assigned the responsibility of conducting hospital surveys to monitor service delivery.

Additionally, the CM ordered the establishment of a data analysis centre to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of public welfare initiatives in the health sector.

A briefing highlighted that over 2,500 doctors have been recruited over the past two years.

It was also reported that 585,000 patients across the province have been registered for home delivery of cardiac medicines, with doorstep delivery completed for 6,000 citizens suffering from hepatitis and tuberculosis.

CM Maryam Nawaz emphasised that the government will no longer tolerate wastage of public funds or citizens' time, warning that inefficiency and negligence in hospitals will not be accepted.