Best healthcare facilities to the citizens is the mission of the government :Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that maximum resources will continue to be provided for the provision of modern health facilities to the common man as reforms in health sector and ensuring best healthcare facilities to the citizens is the mission of the government.

He was presiding over a high level meeting regarding Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap, here today. Head of Special Monitoring Unit Aizaz Akhtar gave a detailed briefing on the targets fixed under Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap and their achievement.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that provision of the best treatment facilities and quality medicines to the common man at basic health centers is priority of the government. He said that an effective system of check and balance has been evolved for the implementation of Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap.He said that Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap is of vital importance for providing quality health facilities to the masses and it is need of the hour to make this programme successful through hard work and commitment. He said that a target has been fixed for provision of modern health facilities to the people in basic health centers whereas target has also been set to extend medical facilities to the patients round the clock in 700 basic health centers till May 2015. He said that Health Department will have to display a spirit of hard work and dedication for the achievement of these targets.

He directed that effective implementation of Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap be ensured at any cost while no effort be spared for the provision of quality health facilities at basic health centers. He further directed that recruitment of medical officers against approved vacancies on the basis of merit and transparency be ensured. He said that action should be taken under rules and regulations against absentee staff of basic health centers. He said that all out efforts should be made for the availability of medicines at basic health centers, attendance of medical officers and paramedical staff as well as provision of medical facilities in accordance with the targets set for this purpose.

The Chief Minister directed Punjab Information Technology Board to introduce biometric system for the attendance of staff while digital monitoring of the entire system of procurement of medicines and distribution of stock should be ensured. He said that capacity- building of Health Department is the need of the hour for providing quality medical facilities to the public.

Shahbaz Sharif directed that the target of provision of quality medicines in basic health centers within 45 days be achieved at any cost. He said that performance of every district with regard to implementation of Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap will be monitored on regular basis and a system of reward and punishment will be evolved for encouragement of district health managers on monthly basis while those showing poor performance will be held accountable.

The Chief Minister issued orders for the posting of EDO Health Chakwal as OSD for his poor performance towards Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap and said that only those officers will remain on their posts as will be efficient. He directed that a system of tenure posting in Education, Health and Home departments be evolved and recommendations be submitted within seven days while the vacant posts of EDO Health in two districts should immediately be filled. He said that concerned departments will have to realize their responsibilities in this regard. He further directed that performance of Punjab Rural Support Programme be improved for the provision of medical facilities in rural areas. He said that Health Department will have to be modernized for providing quality medical facilities to the citizens. He said that reforms in Health Department and measures for extending modern treatment facilities to the patients are of vital importance and will help in setting up a healthy society.

The Chief Minister expressed his satisfaction over the appreciation of the efficiency of Punjab government by DFID team regarding the steps taken for the improvement of public health facilities and said that a lot is still to be done and team spirit will have to be displayed for ensuring modern treatment facilities to the masses.

Special representative of British Department for International Development (DFID) Sir Michael Barber said that encouraging results are being witnessed in health sector under the leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and public health facilities are improving in the province. The DFID team also appreciated the steps taken by Punjab government for the coverage of immunization programme of children.

Provincial Ministers Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, Rana Sanaullah MPA, Advisor Dr. Ijaz Nabi, Special Assistant Azmul Haq, Members Assembly, concerned secretaries, medical experts, Special Representative of DFID Sir Michael Barber, head of DFID in Pakistan Richard Montgomery, members of Health Reforms Roadmap team and senior officers attended the meeting.