Lahore: According to the Directorate General Public Relations, Government of the Punjab, 'Outsource rural health centers across Punjab,'Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned while chairing a special meeting on the improvement of health sector in the province. She added,'Health centers will be provided with medical and diagnostic facilities at par with big hospitals. General surgery, gynaecology, diagnostics, medical tests and other facilities will also be made available.' She highlighted,'Health centers will be made initial referral centers for the patients.' She was briefed by the authorities that number of patients in the health centers managed by young doctors has increased three folds.
Madam Chief Minister said,'These health centerswill remain open 24/7 a week after outsourcing RHCs.' She directed the relevant authorities to construct and expand connecting roads of Sambli General Hospital Murree.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed to operationalise OPD of Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology Sargodha by June and Jinnah Hospital PIC-2 by 30 September this year. She also directed to start services in Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital within stipulated time, besides completing the nomination of Board of Governors and other related matters well in time.
Madam Chief Minister reviewed a proposal to establish a medical city at divisional level for the treatment of every disease, and agreed to establish a burn unit, cardiac center and children's ward at district level. She also considered a proposal to establish a mega medical city around Lahore Ring Road.
Earlier, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was briefed by the relevant authorities,'Fully revamped 225 RHCs have turned into new magnificent clinics.' They added,'Revamping of 766 out of 1147 health centers in Punjab has been completed, and 396 have been handed over to the health department.' They underscored,'Free medicines worth more than Rs 6.7 billion have been provided in OPDs across Punjab.'
Madam Chief Minister was apprised,'12,671 applications have been received for Maryam Nawaz Community Health Inspector Program, under which household survey data, diseases and other details will be collected.' She was updated,'2230 applications have been received on Health Manager Portal under Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic Program. Five renal and one liver transplants have successfully been completed under Chief Minister Special Initiative for organ transplant, Chief Minister Organ Transplantation Program.' They flagged,'6900 patients have registered under Chief Minister Children's Heart Surgery Program, out of which 2625 have benefited so far. More than 8000 patients have completed dialysis under Chief Minister Dialysis Program.'
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was briefed further,'7630 more patients have registered, whereas 72 lakh patients have benefited so far from Clinic on wheels across Punjab.' She said,'Lack of proper cleanliness in hospitals is a very sad and painful matter.' She added,'People of backward and remote areas also need the latest medical facilities.'
Madam Chief Minister said,'All hospitals in Punjab are being provided with the latest medical equipment in a phased manner, as per requirement.' She added,'Sustainable steps are being taken to overcome the problem of shortage of doctors and staff.'