Public complaints management system would be further improved:Arif Nadeem

Lahore: Public complaints management system would further improve the performance of teaching hospitals as well as availability of better treatment facilities to the patients.

This was stated by Secretary Health Punjab Arif Nadeem while presiding over a consultative meeting of senior professors for evolving a system of addressing public complaints relating to teaching hospitals on the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab, here today. Vice Chancellor King Edward Medical University Prof. Dr. Faisal Masood, Prof. Dr. Zameer Ahmad of Allama Iqbal Medical College, Medical Superintendent of Jinnah Hospital Dr. Fazal-ur-Rehman, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Umar, Dr. Rashid Maqbool of Allied Hospital Faisalabad, MS Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Dr. Ijaz Ahmad Sheikh, Principal Gujranwala Medical College, MS Mayo Hospital Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Director General Punjab Information Technology Board Waqar Qureshi, Director Punjab Health Sector Reforms Programme Farasat Iqbal and officer concerned attended the meeting. Various aspects of public complaints management system were considered on the occasion. Secretary Health said that for the purpose of resolving grievances of the patients, it is necessary that those departments of hospitals should be identified regarding which questions will be asked from the patients and their attendants. Arif Nadeem also directed to prepare a standardized questionnaire for this purpose.

The meeting decided that Prof. Dr. Faisal Masood and other senior professors will submit their proposals immediately to Secretary Health by the evening after mutual consultation in the light of which a standardized questionnaire would be devised. Experts of Punjab Information Technology Board will extend technical assistance for evolving the system of addressing public complaints.

Secretary Health Arif Nadeem said that public complaints management system will improve efficiency of government hospitals, quality of service, checking misappropriation of medicines and keeping medical equipment and machines operational due to which the confidence of people will increase in government hospitals and better healthcare facilities will become available to the patents.