Minister vows to ensure availability of quality medicines

Chairing the welcome and orientation session of 440 new Pharmacists who have joined the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, the minister said the government has hired the new Pharmacists only on merit and they will provide major boost to healthcare service delivery. Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Capt Mohammad Usman (retd), Special Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Ajmal Bhatti, Vice-Chancellor King Edward Medical University Dr Khalid Masood Gondal, Secretary Drug Regulatory Authority Punjab, Dr. Sohail, faculty members and students were present.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Yasmin Rashid said the PTI government believes in meaningful social development rather than infrastructure projects alone. "We have brought around 26,000 human resource in the department since we took over; as many 15,000 doctors have been hired and now we have doctors available at 93% BHUs," she said, adding: "You have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders. You will be ensuring quality controls of medicines, keeping a close eye on the availability and stocks of essential medicines, ensuring patient facilitation along with stipulated tasks. You will be working with doctors and play your role in dealing cases requiring special attention."

Muhammad Usman said that newly recruited Pharmacists will play key role in the provision of top-quality treatment services to patients. "Today you are starting your life with merit. It is matter of pride for you and your parents," he added.

Vice-chancellor King Edward Medical University (KEMU) Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal said in his address that recruitment of pharmacists is a great step by Dr. Yasmin Rashid. Moreover, spokesperson health department Punjab said that there is no hurdle in the provision of free of cost medicines to the registered cancer patients in Punjab.

"The department is providing free of cost medicines to more than five thousand registered cancer patients; these medicines are being provided in hospitals of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan," the spokesman added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020

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