Shahbaz Sharif reveals about his mission in a Drs convention

Lahore : Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that improvement of healthcare system is his mission and he will make all our efforts for its achievement. He said that proper care of patients is the pivot of healthcare system and he is ready to give all out resources to make it exemplary.

He said that service to ailing humanity is a form of worship and collective efforts are needed to enable Pakistan especially Punjab join the ranks of those societies where look after of patients is top most priority. He said that a new spirit and determination is required for achieving this objective. He said that besides meeting the challenges of governance for improving healthcare system, doctors will also have to play their due role in this regard.

He was addressing doctors convention today. The Chief Minister also announced patients care allowance for doctors and dentists. He said that doctors of grade 17 and 18 will be given 10000 rupees while of grade 19 and 20 5000 rupees and Punjab government will bear an additional expenditure of three billion rupees annually under this head. He said that he is ready to provide more resources for improving treatment facilities in hospitals however doctors will also have to ensure proper look after of patients.

The Chief Minister announced setting up of Punjab Healthcare Council and said that he will be its chairman while its members will include doctors, professors and experts. The meeting of the council will be held regularly and decisions will be taken with mutual consultation.

The Chief Minister said that monthly awards will also be given to medical superintendents, doctors, nurses and paramedics over outstanding performance and the award will be given on merit. He said that commendatory certificates and cash awards will be given to medical superintendents, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff at provincial, divisional and district levels. Similarly, Pride of Performance Award will be given to best medical superintendent, doctor and nurse of the province on annual basis and it will be awarded by President of Pakistan on August 14 and March 23 each year.

Shahbaz Sharif said that he will try that Pride of Performance Award is given from this year but as nominations have already been made it will be launched for next year. He said that system of reward and punishment is essential for improving healthcare system. He said that while good performance will be rewarded, those showing poor performance will be held accountable. He said that all awards will be given only on merit and he is ready to allocate even 50 crore rupees for this purpose.

ShahbazSharif said that provision of best healthcare to ailing humanity is his mission and healthcare system of the province will be made exemplary with the help of those who are associated with this noble profession. He said that it has also been decided to introduce biometric system for ensuring attendance in hospitals of the province and assurance of cooperation by doctors in this regard is commendable.

He said that proper care of patients is the duty as well as responsibility of doctors and nurses. He said that he will not tolerate any resistance in the installation of biometric system. He said that lack of treatment facilities to patients in hospitals is criminal negligence which cannot be tolerated. He said that he is ready to take tough decisions with the consultation of doctors for improving the affairs of hospitals. He said that he will provide all out resources if doctors, nurse and paramedical staff resolve to serve ailing humanity.

The Chief Minister said that he will extend all out cooperation to doctors and other staff if they give a guarantee that they will honour their oath and there will be no politics. Addressing the doctors, he said that he is ready to give them a blank cheque but they will have to take all possible measures for the provision of proper treatment facilities to the patients,. He said that the role of medical superintendents is of key importance in hospitals and they can improve the situation by taking personal interest. He said that there is a need for improving the system of provision of medicines in hospitals.

Shahbaz Sharif said that government have decided to give administrative and financial autonomy to medical superintendents of hospitals and in future funds will be provided to medical superintendents and they will also be given power to take action against the staff. He said that the new system will result in provision of better medical facilities in hospitals. He said that no society can progress without improving healthcare system.

The Chief Minister said that residential facility will be arranged for doctors where housing colonies are not available or they will be given residential allowance. He appealed to doctors to serve ailing humanity with commitment and dedication and said that healthcare system of the province will be made exemplry with their consultation.

Doctors, nurses and paramedical staff also gave proposal for improving healthcare system. Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Advisor Kh. Salman Rafiq, Parliamentary Secretary Kh. Imran Nazir, Chief Secretary, Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare, Principals, Vice Chancellors, professors, surgeons, senior doctors, young doctors, nurses and representatives of paramedical staff were present on the occasion.