Minister warns doctors against referring patients to private clinics

0
139

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir said on Saturday that strict action will be taken against those doctors who refer patients from government health facilities to private clinics and hospitals.

He said this while speaking at the 24th Chief Executive Officers’(CEO) Conference in Lahore.

He said that Punjab Government has provided best health facilities and free medicines to all District Head Quarters hospitals (DHQs) and Tehsil Head Quarter Hospitals (THQs) across the province.

Khawaja Imran Nazir ordered the authorities concerned to present a report in the next 24 hours in this regard. He said that the department has not only established health counsels at district and tehsil level, but has also released adequate funds to make these hospitals self-sufficient.

While appreciating the performance of the Lady Health Workers (LHWs) and Lady Health Visitors (LHVs), he also ordered to establish a special cell under his supervision which deals with complaints of LHWs and LHVs.

Federal State Minister for Health Saira Afzal Tarar also participated in the conference and appreciated the decision of bifurcation of health department into two parts. She added that this decision helps to give more focus on preventive healthcare.

She further advised other provinces to follow the footsteps of Punjab in the field of health.

Secretary Ali Jan Khan reviewed the performance of CEOs of all districts. Health Services Director-General Dr Akhter Rashid also briefed the participants on monitoring and evaluation system of health facilities in the province.

Additional secretaries, project directors, CEOs, DOHs and officers from health department were also present in the conference.