Health Secretary Jehanzeb Khan said that strengthening the primary and secondary healthcare system was vital to minimizing the mortality rate especially in cases of pregnancy. He said this while presiding over a departmental meeting in connection with the “Progress of Punjab Millennium Development Goals Programme.” Health Director General Dr Mohammad Aslam Chaudhry, PMDGP Director Farasat Iqbal, Health (PM) Deputy Secretary Saleha Saeed. Family Planning & Primary Health Provincial Coordinator Dr Akhtar Rashed Malik, MNCH Provincial Coordinator Dr Sabiha Khurshed and other officers also attended the meeting. Khan said the Punjab government had spent billions on health sector development as its budget had increased from Rs 11 billion to 38 billion within a span of three years. He said efficient use of funds and professional honesty of service providers could significantly improve the health delivery system.
Khan emphasised availability of doctors, nurses and LHVs at BHUs and RHCs. He stressed the need for an effective monitoring and emergency response system.