Improving standards: ‘Healthcare sector is govt’s biggest priority’

Chief minister orders crackdown against substandard cooking oil

LAHORE:

Revolutionary measures are being taken to improve the public health facilities in the Punjab, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Tuesday.

He was presiding over a meeting to review Health Department projects, including the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Trust Hospital, Muzaffargarh.

“The improvement of the health sector is the priority of the government. Billions of rupees are being spent on the improvement of public health facilities,” he said.



He said that the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Trust Hospital was providing international standard health facilities to patients. “The hospital is a splendid gift for the people of south Punjab from Turkey. International-level treatment facilities are being provided to patients at the hospital. Its model will be replicated in other government hospitals,” he said. He said that the hospital set up at Lidher on Bedian Road would also be run on the same model.

Minister for Communication and Works Tanvir Aslam Malik, Adviser on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, MNA Begum Rana Mubashar and Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Mian Muhammad Ahsan attended the meeting.

Crackdown

The chief minister ordered district authorities to launch a crackdown against substandard edible oil. He issued the instructions while addressing a meeting to review the Ramazan Package through video link at Civil Secretariat.

“Those playing with human lives deserve no leniency. People producing and selling substandard and unhygienic edible oil, ghee and other eatable items should be dealt with an iron hand. Such people should be behind bars,” he said.

The chief minister also directed authorities to cancel the licences of flour mills supplying substandard flour.

“Relief has been provided to the people through the historic Ramazan Package. Quality essential items, fruits and vegetables are being provided at reasonable rates in Ramazan Bazaars and open markets,” he said.

He directed ministers and district officials to visit markets and Ramazan Bazaars to monitor quality and prices of necessary commodities.

“Availability of edible items in the open market and bazaars should also be ensured at reasonable rate. Action should be taken against people involved in hoarding and profiteering,” he said.

He said that due to the high demand for sugar in Ramazan Bazaars, the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association had been asked to increase the supply. “The sugar quota for Ramazan Bazaars has been increased by 5,000 metric tonnes. The association has agreed to supply sugar at the same low rate,” he said.

Shahbaz Sharif praised the performance of Punjab Food Authority which, he said, was taking effective action against hotels, restaurants, bakeries, shops and factories producing or serving unhygienic food.

Ministers Dr Farrukh Javed, Bilal Yasin, Chaudhry Muhammad Shafiq, Special Assistant Chaudhry Arshad Jutt and MPA Taufiq Butt attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2015.