F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Mahmood Khan said on Wednesday that health reforms were mumbled actively but still needed to be accelerated.
He was chairing a health review meeting, held here at Chief Minister’s House, and said that provision of health facilities was the priority of the government.
The Minister for Health Hisham Inamullah Khan, Advisor to Chief Minister on merged districts Ajmal Wazir, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Shahab Ali Shah, Secretary Health and other officials were present on the occasion.
Chief Minister Mahmood Khan directed the Health Department to ensure the functionality of Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals by June this year.
He added that the Health Department should set a deadline for the completion of projects and reforms in progress.
He maintained that no delay would be tolerated in the completion of projects.
“I would be monitoring the timeline imparted by the Health Department,” he asserted.
The Chief Minister directed the health department to immediately start the distribution of Sehat Insaf Cards among people of the tribal districts.
In the meeting the Chief Minister Mahmood Khan was informed that in the last 8 months, 26,610 patients throughout the province have been provided with medical treatment under the Sehat Insaf Card at an estimated cost of Rs 6.1 crore. With the extension of the Health Card facilities to the merged districts, more people will be able to avail free health facilities.
At the meeting, commenting on the functionality of hospitals and basic health units in far-flung areas of the province, the Chief Minister stated that buildings without doctors and related staff were no good and immediate steps should be taken to ensure the presence of doctors and related staff.
The Chief Minister was informed that with the new reforms, to be implemented soon, major transfers and postings would be made.
CM was informed that it would be mandatory for doctors to practice in his district of domicile for at least two years which would prove effective in ensuring the presence of doctors in BHUs and hospitals in far-flung areas of the province.
In order to efficiently regulate drugs and pharmacies in the province, the Minister for Health informed the meeting that a separate Directorate has been established for the purpose.
The Chief Minister was also informed that 200 Basic Health Units in various areas of the province have been upgraded to Comprehensive Health Units (CHU) which were also catering to minor surgery needs along with providing primary health services.
The Chief Minister was informed that by 2023, 500 BHUs throughout the province will be upgraded to CHUs.
Regarding the shortage of doctors and related staff in hospitals, the Chief Minister was informed that the case for the creation of 1983 additional posts have been moved in order to cope with the dearth of medical staff whereas 520 posts have already been created for Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals.
The Chief Minister was also briefed on the projects to be completed within one year time that includes the establishment of Hospital for Children and Women in District Charsadda, the establishment of Medical & Allied ward in Lady Reading Hospital and Casualty Block in Khyber Teaching Hospital.
