Government is working on war footing for the improvement of health sector:Khalil Tahir Sindhu

Lahore: Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, the Punjab Government has been working on war footing basis for the improvement of health sector in Punjab particularly health development projects of southern districts are being given special attention.

It was stated by provincial Minister for Health Khalil Tahir Sindhu while talking to the media during the visit of under construction Turkish hospital at Muzffargarh. Secretary Health Punjab Hassan Iqbal, DCO Muzaffargarh Qazi Zaffar Iqbal and the senior officers of Health Department also accompanied him. He said that it is the prime responsibility of the government to provide best treatment facilities to its people and for this purpose, Punjab government has allocated Rs. 63 billion for the health sector, out of which Rs. 15.17 billion would be spent for the development of health sector in southern Punjab. He said that hospitals are being upgraded and modern laboratories would be established and specialist doctors would be posted in the hospitals of southern districts.

Khalil Tahir Sindhu further said that government has taken all possible steps for the control of measles outbreak. He said that special anti-measles mass vaccination campaign is being launched in 18 sensitive districts from 24^th June during which the children from 6 months to 10 years of age would be vaccinated and vitamin-A doze would also be given to them. The Minister disclosed that from 24^th June anti-polio campaign would also be launched across the province, during which children, upto 5 year of age would be administered polio drops. The Minister observed that the basic cause of spreading measles is the malnutrition and non vaccination of children. He said that it is the responsibility of government, as well as the parents, to get their children vaccinated as a prevention against many diseases under EPI programme. He said that joint efforts of government as well as people would result in the prevention of diseases. He informed that government is providing free vaccine for immunization of children in the province and parents should benefit from this opportunity. He said that officers of Health Department and the doctors should perform their duties with dedication and devotion and warned that no leniency would be tolerated in this regard.

Health Minister appreciated the good gesture of the Turkish government for establishing a hospital in Muzaffargarh. He said that this hospital would be a precious gift from the Turkish government for the people of Muzaffargarh, where all latest medical facilities would be provided free of cost. He thanked the representative of Turkish government for the 50 bedded modern hospital and expressed hope that Pak-Turk friendship would be long lasting. He visited different parts of the hospital, the project manager and the Turkish Engineer Mr. Jallal briefed the Minister about the hospital. Earlier, Secretary Health Hassan Iqbal, alongwith DCO Qazi Zaffar Iqbal visited Emergency Ward of DHQ Hospital Muzaffargarh and inquired after the health of the patients. He directed the EDO Health to ensure provision of free medicines to all the patients.