LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that provision of resources worth of Billion rupees as well as latest reforms has enriched health facilities in the province additionally Hepatitis Control Program proceeds effectively to shield patients from hepatitis and give them remedial treatment.
Free medicines are being provided to patients of Hepatitis and TB and up till now 15,000 patients have been provided with free medicines at their door steps. He vowed that they will achieve the target of delivering free medicines to 1 Lac patients of hepatitis by June 2018. The Chief Minister was addressing the meeting at Civil Secretariat through video-link. The meeting reviewed headway on the ongoing upgrading program and advancement of projects in health sector. Speaking to the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif said that under TB control program, 5,000 patients have been provided with free medicines at their homes and this is a historical move of Punjab Government to supply standard medicines to the patients at their doors. In the 70-year history of Pakistan, patients were never been supplied with medicines at their doorsteps through TCS. 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 the program 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 program has been started in hospitals to destroy their waste also incinerators were being installed in hospitals. He said that free ambulances 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 shared. CM said that Mobile Health Units are providing modern diagnosis and treatment facilities to the people residing in remote areas. 14 major Mobile Health Units and 20 small units will be functional soon whereas in the next phase, there will be improvement in more than 85 hospitals. He said that the program 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 will facilitate people with 24 hours service. CM moreover added that we 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 the modern system of drug testing lab has been introduced and Drug Testing Lab at Lahore has been erected on modern lines while remaining labs are also being made compatible with modern requirements. Punjab Health Management Facilitators Company has also been made functional. 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 have been arrived also the registration process of Hair Salons, Beauty Parlors and Barbers is under 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.
