Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over a meeting here on Sunday to review the provision of modern and quality healthcare facilities.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that it is the right of common man to have quality medical facilities at hospitals and that is why the Punjab government is investing billions of rupees to improve the healthcare system.
The chief minister said that Pakistan’s first hepatitis filter clinic has started providing medical facilities and similar clinics would be set up in other cities of the province where in addition to diagnosis, vaccination facilities will also be provided.
Shehbaz Sharif directed officials to give final shape to the plan for setting up hepatitis filter clinics in other cities so that the program may be initiated as soon as possible.
Approval was also given for the purchase of ultrasound machines for basic health centers of the province. The chief minister added that medical staff would be trained to operate the ultrasound machines, and that 24 hour ultrasound facility must be provided at the basic health centers. For this purpose, he said that he would also look into the appointment of new medical staff.
The chief minister also directed officials to prepare a framework for an increase in grants-in-aid for private hospitals and to establish a committee in this regard which may prepare and present final recommendations.
He maintained that outdated systems had to be abolished, adding that under the prime minister’s health insurance program, quality medical facilities are being provided to underprivileged people.
The Punjab government has decided to extend the scope of the health insurance program to the whole province, the chief minister said.
Shehbaz Sharif said that billions of rupees would be spent on extending the scope of the health insurance program, but termed the cost an investment rather than expenditures.
The chief minister directed officials to further extend the tuberculosis prevention and control program and to take all necessary steps for the prevention of TB.
Provincial Ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique and Ayesha Ghous Pasha, Adviser Umer Saif, the chief secretary, secretaries of other concerned departments, medical experts, and officials were also present during the meeting. The specialized healthcare and medical education secretary also took part in the meeting via a video link from Karachi.
