Quality health services will be ensured to the citizens: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that provision of modern health facilities to the masses is the priority of the government and quality health services will be ensured to the citizens through introducing revolutionary reforms in health sector. He said that billions of rupees are being spent on the provision of treatment facilities to the patients. He said that reforms programme in health sector will be closely monitored and he will personally review this process on regular basis.  

He was addressing a meeting of provincial steering committee on reforms in health sector through video link at Civil Secretariat, here today.

Secretary Health gave a detailed briefing to the meeting in this regard.

The Chief Minister said that maximum resources are being utilized on the uplift of health sector and provision of modern treatment facilities to the masses. He said that there is a need to work on war footing for improving medical facilities in Tehsil and district headquarters hospitals. He directed that comprehensive planning be made for ensuring availability of staff and medicines in Tehsil and district headquarters hospitals as well as maintaining medical equipment in working condition. He directed that a transparent procedure be adopted for the recruitment of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff against the approved vacancies in hospitals while an effective monitoring system should also be devised for ensuring transparency and merit in the recruitment process.

Shahbaz Sharif directed that a programme be chalked out with regard to training of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff and effective monitoring mechanism be evolved for ensuring provision of free medicines in government hospitals. He directed that drug testing laboratories set up in the province including Lahore be out-sourced and steps be taken expeditiously with regards to reforms in health sector. He said that it has been decided to completely monitor the measures with regard to reforms in health sector.

Advisor on Health Kh. Salman Rafiq, Parliamentary Secretary on Health Kh. Imran Nazir, Members Assembly Rana Sanaullah, Qazi Adnan Farid, Makhdoom Hashim Jawanbakhat, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development, concerned secretaries, medical experts and senior officers were present on the occasion.