LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Sunday presided over a meeting to review different programmes related to provision of modern and quality medical facilities to the people of the province.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that it was the right of the general public to have quality medical facilities at hospitals, and that was why the Punjab government was investing billions of rupees to improve healthcare faculties in the province.
The chief minister said that Pakistan’s first Hepatitis Filter Clinic had started providing medical facilities to patients and said that more such clinics would also be set up in other cities of the province. He directed authorities concerned to give final shape to the plan for setting up of hepatitis filter clinics as soon as possible.
The meeting also approval for purchase of ultrasound machines for basic health centres of the province. The chief minister said that ultrasound machines would be provided to basic health centres of the province, and added that lady health visitors would be given training for operating the machines. The chief minister said that with the provision of ultrasound machines, medical facilities would be improved at the basic health centres.
The chief minister said he would also look into appointment of new lady health visitors.
He also directed to prepare framework for increase in grants-in-aid for private hospitals, and to establish a committee in this regard, which may prepare and present final recommendations for provision of grants-in-aid to private hospitals and quality medical services to patients.
The chief minister said that for provision of quality medical facilities to common man private hospitals have to play their part and collaborate with government. For serving the dismal humanity, we have to quit the traditional outdated system, he added.
He vowed that he would take every necessary step for improving healthcare in Punjab, which consequently would benefit dismal humanity. The chief minister said that under the Prime Minister Health Insurance Programme, quality medical facilities were being provided to underprivileged people, and the Punjab government had decided to extend the scope of health insurance programme to the whole province.
Provincial ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique, Ayesha Ghous Pasha, Adviser Umer Saif, chief secretary, P&D chairman, secretaries of departments concerned, medical experts and other high officials were also present on the occasion.
Separately, a high-level delegation from the Turkish Health Ministry called on the CM here on Sunday.
The delegation was led by Turkish Health Ministry Managing Director for International Health Policies Selami Kilic. The delegation congratulated the chief minister on Pakistan Day.
They said that the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital in Muzaffargarh was a gift for people of southern Punjab, and quality medical facilities were being provided at the hospital. “Pakistan is our second home and our team is collaborating with the Punjab government to improve healthcare facilities in the province,” said Kilic.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said Pakistan and Turkey have strong brotherhood relations and hearts of people from both the countries beat in unison. The chief minister appreciated cooperation and assistance from the Turkish Health Ministry for improving healthcare system in the province.
Turkish Health Ministry expert Dr Hasan Cagil and other renowned doctors were also included in the delegation.
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