Development of health sector priority of government, says chief minister Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that development of health sector is the priority of the government and it is determined to reform health sector and provide modern health services to the common man. He was presiding over a high level meeting regarding Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap, here on Saturday, disclosed an official.
Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz, Advisor on health Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Azimul Haq, Member Provincial Assembly Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Special Representative of DFID Sir Michael Barber, DFID Head in Pakistan Richard Montgomery, DFID Roadmap team, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development, concerned secretaries, health experts and senior officers were present.
The CM said Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap will be implemented in an effective manner for improving the performance of health department and providing better treatment facilities to the patients. He also said co-operation of British Department for International Development (DFID) for reformation of health sector is commendable. "Targets of uplift of health sector will be achieved with the help of experience, support and consultation of DFID. Mobile health unit project has been very successful and these units are providing modern treatment facilities to the people of far-flung areas," he added.
According to him, Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap is of vital importance for the uplift of health sector and there is a need to ensure its success through hard work and commitment. An effective check and balance system should be adopted for the implementation of Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap so that desired results could be achieved. The rural and basic health centers, which have not been able to produce satisfactory results, will be made centers for the provision of the best medical facilities to the masses in the real sense.
The Chief Minister directed that a foolproof model and a comprehensive plan be presented to him within next two weeks for activating rural and basic health centers. He also directed that effective measures should also be taken for expanding the scope of coverage of the vaccination programme against diseases. He further directed that the training programme for vaccinators should be implemented in a comprehensive manner and digital monitoring of vaccination programme should be undertaken. "Special attention should be paid to mother and child health under Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap and health workers training programme should be evolved on the pattern of teachers training programme," he added.
He said there is a need to make Punjab Rural Support Programme more effective and vibrant and for the purpose of achieving the desire results from Punjab Rural Support Programme, changes should be brought in its administrative structure and other affairs. He said collective efforts are needed for the success of Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap and achievement of its targets. "In order to get full benefits from the development of education, health, agriculture and other social sectors, the rate of population growth will have to be controlled. There is a need to promote public awareness for population control and awareness programmes, seminars and discussions should be held for this purpose. A vigorous awareness campaign should be launched in far-flung areas regarding population control," he added.
Special Representative of DFID Sir Michael Barber and DFID Head in Pakistan Richard Montgomery, while expressing their views on this occasion, said Punjab has made tremendous progress in education and health sectors under the leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. They said in view of the vision, determination and spirit of hard work of Shahbaz Sharif, it is hoped that the targets of Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap will also be achieved. The members of DFID Roadmap team said Punjab Health Reforms Roadmap is a big step of Punjab government and its implementation will result in improvement in health sector.