Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday that provision of resources worth of billion rupees as well as latest reforms have enriched health facilities in the province. He said 'Hepatitis Control Programme' is proceeding effectively to shield patients from hepatitis and give them remedial treatment. Free medicines are being provided to Hepatitis and TB patients and till now 15,000 patients have been provided with free medicines at their door steps, he added.
CM vowed to achieve the target of delivering free medicines to 100,000 hepatitis patients by June 2018. Punjab Chief Minister was addressing the meeting at Civil Secretariat through video-link. The meeting reviewed headway on the ongoing upgrade programme and advancement of projects in health sector. Speaking to the meeting, Shahbaz said under TB control programme, 5,000 patients have been provided with free medicines at their homes. He said in the 70-year history of Pakistan, patients have never been supplied with medicines at their doorsteps through courier service. He said that in order to prevent Hepatitis, 'Hepatitis Control Ordinance' was initiated and furthermore directed to ensure implementation and enforcement of the ordinance.
He said that programme of establishing modern Hepatitis Filter Clinics is being carried out rapidly in the districts and 60 small hepatitis clinics have been made functional at Tehsil Head Quarter Hospital. He directed to launch an awareness campaign for masses to spread the word regarding prevention and treatment of hepatitis. Furthermore he added that a brilliant programme has been started in hospitals to destroy their waste also incinerators were being installed in hospitals.
He said that free ambulance service for convenience of rural women has yielded positive results so this service is being extended. Reforms plan is in its completion stage in 40 hospitals of the province while ISO certification has been attained for 5 hospitals, he pointed.
CM said that Mobile Health Units were providing modern diagnosis and treatment facilities to the people residing in remote areas. 14 major Mobile Health Units and 20 small units would be functional soon whereas in the next phase, there will be improvement in more than 85 hospitals. He said that programme of supplying CT scan machines in all the districts is moving forward rapidly.
CT Scan Machines have arrived at Kasur, Bhakhar, Layyah, Vehari and Manawanali and their installation wouldl facilitate people with 24 hours service. CM added that they have concocted digital system for procurement, delivery and supply of drugs and now a common man is getting the same medication as that of elites.
He said that modern system of drug testing has been introduced and Drug Testing Lab at Lahore. Punjab CM directed to take necessary steps to enhance the capacity of Department of Primary and Secondary Healthcare and devise a plan of management course for Medical Superintendents of hospitals. Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Ali Jan Khan while briefing about the details of implementation of health projects said that incinerators to be installed at 13 spots, He stated registration process of Hair Salons, Beauty Parlours and Barbers is there to practice to prevent hepatitis.
Provincial Minister of Health Khawaja Imran Nazir, Special Assistant Malik Mohammad Ahmed Khan, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretaries Health, high officials of health department and other concerned officers of Civil Secretariat attended the meeting through video link.