Improving healthcare: DCOs directed to fill vacant posts of doctors

Adviser to CM on Health Khwaja Salman, Health Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik and the Lahore DCO attended the meeting

LAHORE:

Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal directed all district coordination officers (DCOs) on Wednesday to fill vacant ad-hoc posts of doctors in district and tehsil headquarters hospitals as early as possible.

He was addressing a meeting to review performance of the Health Department at Civil Secretariat. Adviser to CM on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique, Health Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik and the Lahore DCO attended the meeting.

The chief secretary said all steps should be taken to provide the best healthcare facilities to people living in rural areas. “All efforts are being made to improve the healthcare sector in rural areas. Attractive salary packages and other benefits are being given to doctors serving in far-flung areas,” he said.

He said no laxity would be tolerated in the provision of medical facilities to people. He directed Health Department officials to ensure the availability of medicines and missing facilities at all district, tehsil hospitals and rural health centres.

Flood situation

Earlier, the chief secretary chaired a meeting to review the flood situation. The meeting was briefed about the weather situation, river outflow at Tarbela Dam. He said that federal and provincial departments should enhance their coordination regarding flood management. “Better planning and coordinated efforts are needed to cope with natural disasters. Protective arrangements should be made to deal with any untoward situation,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2015.