Health Department reviews the working of teaching hospitals

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that better healthcare facilities could be provided to the people by effective use of a big work force and huge infrastructure of health department. He said that for taking better administrative decision and devolution of powers at grass root level, restructuring of the department is essential.

He said this while presiding over a high level meeting to review the proposals for restructuring of health department and devolving the powers at grass root level.

Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik, Director General Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Director Strategic and Policy Management Unit (PSPU) Ali Bahadur Qazi, Senior Health Specialist of World Bank Dr. Tayyab Mahmood, Provincial Team Leader Technical Resource Facility Plus (TRF+) Dr. Anwar Janjua, Health Specialist Dr. Naeem ud-Din Mian, Director Finance Health Department Tanvir Baig, Dr. Zahida Sarwar and Hamid Yaqoob of SNG attended the meeting. It was informed that during the last two decades the work force of Health Department has reached upto 1.5 lac and the number of Health facilities are also increased upto 3500, whereas, 19 medical colleges have been established in public sector. The meeting reviewed the work load of health department, responsibilities of provinces after transferring of vertical health programmes to the provinces under 18^th Constitutional Amendment.

Dr. Anwar Janjua gave a presentation on the administrative powers / authority of EDO Health and DOH, functioning of District Health Authorities (DHA).  The meeting also discussed on improvement of working of teaching hospitals and for this purpose effective role of Board of Management of Autonomous Health Institutions.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that Punjab Assembly has already passed the Act of District Health Authorities and rules have also been drafted. He said that there should be a strong system of check & balance in the department. Secretary Health Jawad Rafique Malik said that an effective system is being evolved in the department for the accountability, appropriate utilization of funds and internal audit system.

Khawaja Salman Rafique was of the view that restructuring of Health Department is necessary to get maximum results of the reforms and development work being carried out under Chief Minister Health Roadmap Programme for direct benefit of the people.