Sindh CM orders requisition of 2000 doctors

The health emergency declared in the province has produced some congenial results but still there is a lot to do to provide best free of cost health facilities to the people of the province.

This was stated by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah while presiding over a high-level meeting of Health Department here at the CM House.

The participants of the meeting included P&D Minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, Health Minister Jam Mehtab Dahar, Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon, P&D Board Chairman Mohammad Waseem, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Health Secretary Fazal Pechuho, Khalid Mehmood Shaikh of Finance Dept, DG PPP Unit Abdul Fateh Tunio, P&D Special Secretary Dr Fawad Shaikh, Member Social Sector P&D Rehan Balouch, Additional Secretary (Dev) Dr. Ashiq Shaikh and others.

The chief minister reviewed appointment of newly-recruited doctors, procurement of medicines, Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects and donor projects.

Briefing the chief minister, Health Secretary Fazal Pechuho said that 5402 medical officers, including 2769 female medical officers have been issued offer letters, and 5263 have accepted and 4376 have joined. ‘This shows that 887 doctors have not joined’. On this the chief minister directed Health Minister Dr Sikandar Mendhro to send another requisition of 2000 doctors to SPSC so that remaining positions could be filled.

The chief minister was told that the procurement of medicines was made through two different ways, 15 per cent locally by the hospitals and 85 per cent centrally through tenders.

‘The local purchase is made keeping in view the specific requirements and needs of hospitals. The hospitals and medical facilities are allowed to purchase medicines and related items upto 15 per cent of their budget as per SPPRA rules’.

‘The centralised procurement of medicines is made through tenders and there is a centralised procurement committee and 12 technical committees to exercise the procurement. The tenders have been invited. On this, the chief minister directed the Health Department to contact owners and heads of pharmaceutical companies to get concessional rates.

The chief minister was told that tenders for procurement of medicines have been invited. This year the procurement of all medicines and related items has been divided into 12 therapeutic groups. They are antibiotic/antibacterial large volume preparation, oncology drugs, anesthetic drugs, hormone drugs, general medicines, cardiology drugs, psychotropic drugs, vaccine/immunoglobulin/antiviral/hepatitis drugs, x-ray films, chemicals, contract medicines, and their rate contract list have also been communicated to all concerned for procurement.

The remaining three therapeutic groups such as dermatology/ophthalmic drugs, surgical/disposable items and dental material would be completed within one week as necessary clarification from the bidders regarding registration of surgical and medical devices is received.

CM Murad approves Rs90m for purchase of MRI, CT scan machines for Sehwan SASIMS

Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that Syed Abdullah Shah Institute of Medical Sciences (SASIMS) Sehwan is the most important health and teaching facility located on the Indus Highway, therefore it must be made as one of the prestigious institutes in terms of health services, medical facilities and producing good nurses and other para-medical staff.

He expressed these views while presiding over a 3rd meeting of Board of Governors (BoGs) of SASIMS here at the CM House on Friday. The meeting was attended by Health Minister Dr Sikandar Mendhro, Principal Secretary to CM Sohial Rajput, Secretary Health Fazal Pechuho, Director SASIMS Dr. Moinuddin Siddiqui, Member BoGs Syed Asif Ali Shah, Dr. Ahsan Siddiqui, Mr. Manzoor Soomro, Dr. Raheem Bux Bhatti, Director GIMS Gambat Dr. Manzoor Hussain Bhatti Representative of Academic Council Mr. Karamullah Babar Lorahi Admin Officer SASIMS.

The BoGs took number of decisions such as purchase of MRI and CT scan machines for which the chief minister approved an amount of Rs 90 million. The board also decided to construct compound wall around 100 acres plot allotted to the institute by the government.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah approving Rs 30 million for construction of compound wall directed Jamsoro deputy commissioner to remove all the encroachments near the plot and from different parts of the city. “The encroachments not only cause traffic jam issues but deface the area and the city, therefore these must be removed,” he said.

The board also approved appointment of non-SNE staff including one diabetic specialist, 30 staff nurses, 14 lady health workers, 40 sanitary worker, 20 ward servants, 20 naib qasids and such other staff.

The chief minister directed the director of the institute to appoint internal auditor. Internal audit would keep the record straight. “We have to work sincerely and honestly for the people of this province,” he said.

The BoGs also approved establishment of nursing school for female. Initially, a batch of 20 students would be selected.

The CM was informed that the satellite of NICVD has been established in three major wards, therefore the institute needed another building to continue its approved projects and health services. The chief minister with the consent of the board approved construction of three major wards, a hostel and such other buildings. He directed the head of the institute to prepare a scheme for the building for approval and submit the same with P&D Department. “I’ll arrange funds for the purpose,” he said.

The board also discussed and approved the establishment of canteen for the institute. The chief minister directed the institute administration to establish a canteen with best quality food and the staff of the institute may be given food on subsidy.

The board also approved purchase of incinerator, water ultra filtration plant and PCR machine for hepatitis-B & C diagnosis. He said that the NICVD satellite would be inaugurated within next week.