Shahbaz Sharif reviews the pace of implementation of Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting here today which reviewed the pace of implementation of Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that provision of modern health facilities to the masses is the top priority of the government. He said that targets have been set for the improvement of healthcare facilities and effective measures are being taken for their achievement.

The Chief Minister appreciated the performance of EDOs Health of Sahiwal, Pakpattan and Attock towards achieving the targets of Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap and announced a cash prize of one lakh rupees for EDO Health Sahiwal for the achievement of hundred percent targets and special prizes of Rs.50 thousand each for EDOs Health of Pakpattan and Attock on the achievement of 97 percent targets whereas he issued a warning to EDOs Health of Chiniot, Khushab, Bhakhar and Rawalpindi for their unsatisfactory performance.

Shahbaz Sharif said that an effective system of reward and punishment is of vital importance for achieving the targets of public health. He said that the officers serving the people efficiently will be extended all out encouragement while inefficient officers have no right to stay on their posts. He directed that attendance of medical officers and concerned staff in basic and rural health centers be ensured.

The Chief Minister ordered stern disciplinary action against medical officers proceeding on leave without permission of competent authority and warned that no leniency will be shown to the absentee medical officers and those leaving without permission. He said that hundred percent availability of 18 essential drugs be ensured in basic health centers while the targets fixed for making rural and basic health centers functional should be achieved at any cost. He further directed that a comprehensive plan be evolved for outsourcing one hundred basic health centers of the province.

The Chief Minister expressed his dissatisfaction over the performance of Punjab Rural Support Programme and issued instructions for its improvement. He said that all out resources will be provided for public health facilities while no effort will be spared in the provision of healthcare to the masses. He also issued instructions for launching citizen feedback system with regard to the steps taken under Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap.

Shahbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over 24/7 medical facilities in 150 basic health centers and said that institutional framework of all measures taken for the improvement of public health facilities is essential so that this programme could be continued smoothly. He further directed that recruitments of vaccinators at union council level be completed till July 2015 while the scope of the measures taken with regard to mother and child health should be expanded. The meeting decided that the ban on the transfer of EDOs of Health Department without the permission of Chief Minister will continue as permanent posting of EDOs Health is of vital importance for effective implementation of Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap.

Sir Michael Barber said that Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap is being effectively implemented in the province under the leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. He said that the team of Punjab government is moving forward with commitment and determination and remarkable improvement has been made in health sector. Head of Special Monitoring Unit Aizaz Akhtar gave a briefing on the steps taken for the implementation of Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap.

Provincial Ministers Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Advisor Health Kh. Salman Rafique, Advisor Dr. Ijaz Nabi, Members Assembly Rana Sanaullah, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Kh. Imran Nazir, Qazi Adnan Fareed, Chief Secretary, concerned secretaries, medical experts, special representative of DFID Sir Michael Barber, head of Special Monitoring Unit Aizaz Akhtar, Director Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap Fenton Whelan besides other concerned officers were also present on the occasion.