Healthcare solutions: Report sought on staff shortage, equipment in state-run hospitals

To be presented within three days to the health minister.

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Minister for Health Shaukat Ali Yousafzai on Monday directed chief executives and medical superintendents of state-run hospitals along with district health officers to prepare a report regarding shortage of staff and equipment in health facilities.

The report is to be presented within three days so that appropriate measures can be taken to tackle the problems highlighted, stated a press release issued by the information department.



Yousafzai issued these directives during a meeting with subcommittees of the working group for health. The meeting was also attended by Adviser to the Chief Minister on Social Welfare Dr Mehr Taj Roghani, Health Secretary Dr Fakhr-e-Alam and Additional Health Secretary Muhammad Anees.

Members of the subcommittees briefed the health minister on the progress made in the sector so far and assured him they would present their recommendations to the working group by July 25.

“Reforms are being introduced at all levels of the health department, from top to grassroots, in order to make health delivery services better in public hospitals,” Yousafzai was quoted as saying in the handout. He added the number of hospitals and dispensaries was being increased so people may get medical facilities at their doorstep.

“Our focus is to provide free emergency services, primary healthcare, extension of preventative services and institution building. Rules and regulations would be amended if needed to achieve our desired goals,” said the minister.

Yousafzai also laid out the merits of giving autonomy to hospitals, adding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government was considering the option so that the workings of hospitals could become transparent.

“To make the performance of autonomous hospitals better, their chiefs would be brought under the subordination of the provincial board and their performance would be monitored,” said Yousafzai.

“Income generated from autonomous hospitals would be deposited in their accounts rather than given to the public exchequer. This way the income the hospital earns would be utilised for its own expenses and to improve the quality of services.”

Talking about the eradication of diseases like polio and measles, the minister said the Expanded Programme for Immunisation would be streamlined and strengthened to achieve better results.

Yousafzai also instructed health officers to identify those sectors whose workings could be improved with minimal expenditure.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2013.