Declaring the Institute of Public Health (IPH) as a failed institution in the fight against dengue, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday ordered its restructuring with an enhanced role in epidemic control research. He was chairing a meeting of a committee regarding restructuring of IPH for making it more active and vibrant. The CM said that the IPH had failed to give the desired results despite having manpower and financial resources, as it was observed during the anti-dengue campaign. Punjab Planning & Development Department Chairman Javed Aslam gave a detailed briefing regarding the restructuring of IPH. Shahbaz said that research, education and promotion of education were the prime objectives of the institute and to achieve these goals, it was decided to introduce reforms in this sector so that it could be set on modern lines like other developed countries where research had an important role.
The CM said that a committee was constituted in this regard headed by Aslam, which formulated its recommendations. He said that suggestions of senior faculty members will also be kept in view during the proposed restructuring of the IPH. Shahbaz directed that a committee should submit its recommendations within the next four days after consulting senior faculty members. The CM directed that besides MPAs Asad Ashraf and Saeed Elahi, four member of IPH should also be included in the committee.
