Public welfare: CM says govt committed to revamping Health Services

DFID says efforts yielding positive results

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that maximum resources would be allocated for the provision of modern healthcare facilities to the people.

He was chairing a meeting held to review progress on the Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap. Sharif said the government was committed to revamping the sector and ensuring the provision of quality healthcare to the people. He said ensuring the effective implementation of the roadmap by diligence and hard work was the need of the hour. The chief minister said a target for the provision of round-the-clock healthcare to patients at 700 basic health units (BHUs) by May had been set.

Special Monitoring Unit head Aizaz Akhtar briefed those present regarding the targets fixed under the roadmap and progress made. Sharif said the government had prioritised the provision of quality healthcare and medicines at the BHUs. He said a system with checks and balances had been formulated to ensure the effective implementation of the roadmap. Sharif said the effective implementation of the roadmap should be ensured at all costs. He said no stone would be left unturned to ensure the provision of quality healthcare at the BHUs.  Sharif said vacancies for medical officials should be filled transparently. He said action should be taken to remedy unexplained absences at the BHUs. Sharif said efforts should be made to ensure the availability of medicines, presence of staff and the provision of quality services at facilities in accordance with the goals outlined in the programme.

The chief minister ordered the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to introduce a biometric staff attendance system. Sharif said the purchase and distribution of medicines should be digitally monitored. He said it was incumbent to build the capacity of the Health Department to ensure the provision of quality healthcare to the people. Sharif said the provision of quality medicines at BHUs should be ensured with in 45 days. He said the roadmap’s implementation would be regularly monitored at the district level.

Sharif said a system would be devised to encourage officials effectively discharging their duties. He said action would be taken against officials guilty of laxity. The chief minister made the Chakwal Health EDO an OSD for failing to effectively discharge his duties regarding the implementation of the roadmap. He said only diligent officials would be allowed to hold important posts.

The chief minister stressed the need to improve the performance of the Punjab Rural Support Programme to ensure the provision of quality healthcare in rural areas. Sharif said the reforms being undertaken in the sector would help establish a healthy society.

British Department for International Development (DFID) Special Representative Michael Barber said initiatives taken to revamp the sector under the leadership of Sharif were yielding positive results.  He said public health facilities across the province had been improving.

Ministers Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman and Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz, Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique, former law minister Rana Sanaullah and DFID Pakistan Head Richard Montgomery were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2015.