Political interference will not be tolerated in health sector: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore:  Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that provision of modern medical facilities can be ensured to every person of the society without any discrimination by improving health sector through collective wisdom, determination and joint efforts. He said that Punjab government is introducing health insurance card for providing best treatment facilities to the people. He said that we have to improve healthcare system and make this scheme successful jointly.

He expressed these views while addressing 47th convocation of College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan at Faletti’s hotel today. Members National and Provincial Assembly, Secretary Health, Principals, Vice Chancellors, doctors and the persons associated with medical profession attended the function in large numbers. President CPSP Prof. Zafar Ullah Chaudhary presented address of welcome.

The Chief Minister vowed that neither political interference was tolerated in health and education sectors earlier, nor do so in future. He said that the challenge of improving health sector is accepted and we have to improve the medical facility through joint efforts.

Shahbaz Sharif said though it is certainly a difficult task yet not impossible. He said that doctors are associated with a noble profession and they should not spare any effort in service to ailing humanity. He said that doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and the persons associated with medical profession rendered commendable services during flood, earthquake and dengue and saved precious lives.

The Chief Minister said that we have also to fight against measles with the same spirit and protect the children from this disease. He said that steps are being taken on war footing for controlling measles as protecting innocent children from measles is our duty.

Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that it is an honor for him to participate in the function of Masihas of the nation. He said after assuming the office of Chief Minister participation in the function of doctors first is a proof of his commitment that health sector is the top priority of Punjab government. He said that billions of rupees were spent for providing best treatment facilities to the masses and uplift of health sector during last five years. He said that now health sector is also on top priority of Punjab government.

The Chief Minister said that the role of doctors is of great importance for protecting the society from diseases and constitution of a healthy society. He said that despite having no knowledge and much experience about dengue our doctors, nurses and paramedical staff displayed best performance and saved thousands of precious lives in natural calamities including dengue.

Shahbaz Sharif said that those countries have also acknowledged the valor and courage displayed by our doctors, nurses and paramedical staff during dengue which have been fighting against dengue for many years. He said Sri Lankan, Indonesian and Singaporean experts acknowledged this fact that they had come here to teach us about dengue but they themselves went back after learning from our experts.

The Chief Minister said that Pakistan is rich in natural and human resources and we have capable manpower and renowned medical experts who have proved their metal throughout the world. He said that polio has been eliminated from all over the world but Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are such three countries where polio is still found which is a tragic and matter of pondering. Shahbaz Sharif stressed the need for eliminating polio from the country through joint efforts and wisdom. He said that if we do not succeed in eliminating polio from the country, our image will not be good in the world and WHO, UNICEF and other international institutions which extend cooperation in eliminating epidemic diseases would also be unhappy with us. He said that experts and able persons are available in Pakistan who can control epidemic diseases through collective wisdom.

Shahbaz Sharif stressed the need for evolving a joint strategy so that such problems could not reoccur. He said that we have to march forward speedily for overcoming epidemics and utilize our energies to cope with this challenge.

Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that resources were provided generously for the uplift of health sector during previous tenure. Salaries of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff were increased. He said that salaries of the persons associated with medical profession in Punjab are high compared to all other provinces. He said that salaries package can further be improved.

However, the persons associated with medical profession will have to discharge their duties of service to the ailing humanity with sense of responsibility and their salary package will have to be linked with performance. The Chief Minister said that the government hospitals situated in far-flung areas of Punjab are still not providing desired medical facilities to the people. He said that the cleanliness condition in government hospitals is also poor and the persons responsible should pay attention to it. He said that we will have to evolve such a roadmap jointly, through implementation of which, modern medical facilities could be ensured to the people without any discrimination.

Responding to a demand of doctors, Shahbaz Sharif said that doctors must go and work in Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries but they should also keep this fact in view that the nation indebted of 60 billion dollars is looking towards them. He said that the nation which has invested billions of rupees on the education and training of doctors also expects from them that they should play their role in provision of medical facilities and protect it from diseases. He said that doctors must go abroad and earn for their families but Pakistani nation has first right on them.

President CPSP Prof. Zafar Ullah Chaudhary threw light in detail on the research and training programmes and achievements of College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. He informed that 161 institutions of CPSP are working in Pakistan while 57 in other countries. He said that this institution is producing 85 percent medical specialists and 95 percent dental specialists whereas 100 percent consultants of armed forces belonged to this institution. He said that research, training and clinical services of the council is considered the third largest programme of the world.

Later, the Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif gave away gold medals and awards among those showing outstanding performance in the examinations of College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. Head of the institution Dr. Zafar Ullah Chaudhary presented shield to Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.