LAHORE: Chief Minister, Sardar Usman Buzdar, while chairing a meeting, here on Friday, accorded in-principle approval of up-gradation of the nursing service structure, streamlining the promotion criteria of the nurses and awarding M.Phil and PhD scholarships to the nurses.

"Nursing schools will be given the status of colleges along with the provision of hostel facility, so that the residential problems of the nurses could be solved on permanent basis," the CM said, adding: "Nurses would be sent abroad on scholarships and a mega package will soon be announced for the nurses."

Usman Buzdar said the Punjab government has introduced revolutionary reforms in the health sector and more than five million 'Sehat Insaf Cards' have been distributed among the deserving people. He directed that a comprehensive campaign should be launched for raising awareness among the beneficiaries of these cards besides examining to include social security hospitals in the panel.

Moreover, while directing to prepare a business plan for Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute, said the health department, with the consultation of concerned authorities, should present final recommendations so that decisions could be taken for the effective working of the institution.

Secretary Specialized Health and Medical Education gave a briefing regarding proposed measures for the betterment of nursing cadres, Sehat Insaf Cards and Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute. The Chief Minister was informed that 62 kidneys and seven livers have been transplanted so far in PKLI.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020