It is the responsibility of the government to modern treatment facilities to the masses and for this, the Punjab government is spending billions of rupees to extend quality healthcare to the citizens, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while addressing a high level meeting which reviewed in detail the measures regarding public health especially improvement of mother and child health and primary healthcare on Tuesday.
Zafarullah Chaudhary, prominent doctor Bangladeshi, gave detailed briefing on improvement of mother and childcare and primary healthcare and informed about the pilot project started in Nankana Sahib in this regard.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that the government is taking measures on priority basis for the development of health sector and provision of modern health facilities to the masses and billions of rupees are being utilised for the purpose.
“Serving the ailing humanity is a form of worship and keeping in view this fact, the government is taking all necessary measures for the provision of quality treatment facilities to the masses,” he said.
He said that steps are being taken to ensure minimum standard of service delivery in public and private sector hospitals and an effective monitoring system has also been evolved for the purpose.
Elaborating on the steps to be taken for improving health care system, he said, “In the first phase of the programme, public health facilities will be improved in ten districts of the province while maximum participation of private sector will be ensured for the purpose,” adding that the role of private sector in the programme is of vital importance.
He said that implementation of the programme will not only result in better treatment facilities in rural and basic health centres but also in THQ and DHQ hospitals and will ensure access of patients to medical facilities of a higher standard.
In order to improve mother and child and primary healthcare, he said a pilot project has been kicked off in District Nankana Sahib.
“Under this project, not only the treatment facilities in rural and basic health centres will improve but also the attendance of doctors and paramedical staff as well as availability of medicines will also be ensured,” he added.
He said that the scope of the pilot project will be extended to other districts under a phased programme so that maximum number of patients could benefit from quality health facilities.