Punjab govt regularises 52,000 lady health workers

*Shahbaz says government walks its talk of regularising LHWs

*Sit-ins are artificial crisis causing irreparable loss to the economy

*CM promises a special programme for development of youth

*Authorities instructed to handle profiteers with iron hands

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has regularised the services of 52,000 lady health workers, lady health supervisors, drivers and other staff in the province, also announcing to give these officials the October’s salary in the next grade.

He was presiding a function held to distribute letters of regularisation to lady health workers, lady health supervisors and other staff which was also attended by Parliamentary Secretary on Health Khawaja Imran Nazir, health secretary and Health Services DG.

Addressing the function, Shahbaz said that it was a day of happiness as a longstanding demand of lady health workers and lady health supervisors has been fulfilled and now they will be able to perform their duties with more confidence and peace of mind, adding that now these officials will also be able to avail official benefits and privileges. He said that not only 52,000 officials but their 52 thousand families will also benefit from this decision. He said that lady health workers are performing the sacred duty of mother and child healthcare and prevention of viral diseases and share the financial burden of their families. He said that regularisation was their right which has been given to them.

CM LAUDS ROLE OF LADY HEALTH WORKERS:

Appreciating the role of lady health workers, Shahbaz said that the efforts of lady health workers with regard to dengue, polio, mother and child healthcare and eradication of other epidemic diseases are commendable. He stressed the need for arranging coordinated training programme and refresher courses for lady health workers so that they could come to practical field equipped with modern training. The chief minister directed health advisor and health secretary to arrange a programme of coordinated training for lady health workers and the required resources will be provided. He said that the province has big human resource in the shape of lady health workers and lady health supervisors and there is need to fully benefit from their services to eradicate viral diseases. He said that lady health workers should pay attention to flood hit areas and play their role to eradicate epidemic diseases and mother and child health there. He said that best way to thank Almighty Allah and celebrate our joys is by helping flood affectees.

Shahbaz said that lady health workers should discharge their duties with devotion, dedication and honesty and their all demands will be met. He said that flood has caused massive destruction in Punjab and thousands of people have been displaced. Therefore, we should spent Eid with affectees and share their joys.

SIT-INs CAUSING LOSS TO ECONOMY:

Criticising the sit-ins in the federal capital, he said that sit-ins in Islamabad have caused irreparable damage to the economy and are hindering development and welfare programmes. He said that those creating an artificial crisis in the country should pity 180 million people. He said that taking on challenges and resolving crisis is a collective responsibility. He said that the only way to achieve the goal of national progress and prosperity is to rise above personal interests and differences and work for stability of the country. He said that equitable distribution of resources will have to be ensured otherwise there will be a bloody revolution. He said that there is a need to set up a society which is based on justice and revolution cannot be brought about by hating and ignoring the poor.

Shahbaz said that those who are staging sit-ins cannot tolerate the sweat of the labourers and want to bring revolution by embracing the elite. He said that as the government took the first step towards national progress and prosperity, an artificial crisis was created which has caused irreparable loss to the economy. He said that those staging sit-ins should quit negative politics and work hard for national development as it is the only way to restore the image of the country. He said that an artificial crisis is being created to cause hurdle in the process of national development. He said that gulf between rich and poor is expanding, adding that on one side elite avail all facilities whereas poor people are spending a miserable life and this gulf is further deepening. He said that unwise elements should immediately reconsider their attitude and steps will have to be taken to remove this increasing gulf. God forbid, if there is revolution and the poor will rise to get their right than these splendid palaces will not exist and this will be the real revolution which will ruin the rich, he added. He said that we will have to set up such a society where justice and equality should prevail by following the system given by Almighty Allah otherwise history will not forgive us.

SALMAN RAFIQUE SAYS REGULARISATION WILL BOOST CONFIDENCE:

Addressing the function, Health Advisor Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the government has regularised the services of 52,000 lady health workers, lady health supervisors and other staff due to which their confidence will enhance and they will discharge their duties diligently. This is an important milestone due to which dreams of thousands of families have been materialised, he added.

Punjab Lady Health Workers Association President Rukhsana Anwar and Lady Health Supervisor Nasreen Mansoor expressing their views said that due to Khadim-e-Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, their services were regularised and they have no words to express their thanks to the chief minister. They said that by regularising the services of 52,000 lady health workers, the cheif minister has proved that he is not the chief minister but real Khadim-e-Ala.

SPECIAL PROGRAMME FOR YOUTH:

Speaking about youth, the chief minister said that the government has evolved a revolutionary programme to empower the youth and to provide them with job opportunities

PRICE CONTROL COMMITTEE MEETING:

After the ceremony, Shahbaz presided over a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Price Control which reviewed in detail supply and demand of essential items and their prices.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that common man cannot be left at the mercy of profiteers. He warned that no leniency would be shown to the profiteers. He ordered to arrest those involved in overcharging indiscriminately, adding that the interest of people is dearer and no one will be allowed to exploit them. He said that the Agriculture department should evolve a strategy according to the demand and supply of pulses and vegetables.