Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafiq has said that the government has taken concrete steps for the health sector development and health facilities are being extended to the remote areas of the province.
He said this while talking to a high-level delegation of World Health Organization headed by International Consultant Dr Khalif Biley that called on him, here Saturday. The other members of the delegation included WHO Provincial Chief Dr Jamshed, Miss Justine from Jeneva and Dr Shehla Zaidi.
The delegation was briefed about the Chief Minister’s Health Roadmap Programme, upgradation of basic health units, rural health centres, provision of medicines and availability of doctors, nurses in the said health facilities.
Rafiq informed the delegation about the posting of specialist doctors at DHQ and THQ hospitals, legislation for strengthening the blood transfusion authority, thalaseemia control programme, routine immunisation coverage under EPI programme, polio situation and MNCH programme.
The advisor informed that 500 specialist doctors have been appointed in DHQ and THQ hospitals and special pay package has been offered to them. He said that a specialist doctor posted in a DHQ or THQ hospital of the remote area is getting upto Rs 250,000 salary per month. He said health management information system has been made active to check the availability of medicines and presence of doctors, nurses and vaccinators. He said that strict accountability mechanism has also been introduced in Health Department due to which situation has improved substantially.
Head of WHO delegation Dr Khalif Biley appreciated the health sector reforms in Punjab and said that health indicators of disease prevention in Punjab are very encouraging and Punjab was leading in polio control. Biley stressed the need for close coordination of the Punjab Health Department with other provinces for knowledge sharing. He assured that WHO would continue its cooperation and provide technical assistance for further improving the health indicators in Punjab.
Govt taking solid steps for health sector development : Salman
