The Punjab Health Foundation (PHF) has increased the limit of interest free loans for doctors up to Rs 1.5 million to set up clinics and purchase of equipment. Provincial Minister for Health Chaudhry Mohammad Iqbal said this during a meeting with a delegation of private practitioners, according to official sources.
Previously the interest free loan limit was Rs 1.2 million, which has now been increased up to Rs 1.5 million to further facilitate the doctors, he said. The surcharge for non-payment of instalments on time is also being reduced, he added.
He said that the loan scheme of the foundation is basically to help unemployed doctors to set up private clinics as well as upgrading the already established clinics and hospitals. The Minister said that presently the Punjab Health Foundation is providing loans to NGOs and doctors irrespective of the area where they intend to establish their clinics.
He said that maximum grant is being provided to the young doctors and private sector to establish clinic in small cities and towns especially in far-flung areas as the provision of basic healthcare facilities in rural areas is the top priority of the government.
The Minister also visited a rural health center in Sharaqpur, where he checked the duty roster, supply of medicines including DOT medicines and medical lab. The minister said besides health authorities he himself would pay surprise visits to the public sector hospitals especially the BHUs & RHCs to ensure the provision of healthcare facilities to the masses and the availability of doctors, paramedics and medicines at these centers.