PM stresses bringing improvement in Punjab healthcare system

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Punjab government to encourage private-public partnerships for the improvement of the health system in the province.

According to a press release issued by the PM office media wing, while chairing a meeting to review the up-gradation of the health sector in Punjab, PM Imran stressed upon the provision of better facilities and arrangements in the existing health centers of Punjab province.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Advisor on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Punjab ministers Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, Dr Yaseem Rashid and other senior officials.

PM Imran also underlined that special attention should be paid to run the newly established health centers on modern lines and in an organized manner.

The prime minister was briefed in detail about improvement and up-gradation in the health sector in Punjab province, especially progress on federal government’s assisted projects and their benefits for the public.

The prime minister was apprised of the provision of quality health facilities in cities like Gujranwala, Lahore, Bahawalnagar, Bhawalpur, Layyah, Rajanpur, Attock, Mianwali and Chakwal where latest health centers including maternity hospitals and nursing centers were being established costing about Rs 80 to Rs 90 billion.

During the current year, about Rs17 billion would be spent, it was told and the federal government’s cooperation was sought in this regard.

Referring to incentives on import of machinery by the federal government, provision of abandoned properties at affordable prices for the hospitals and educational institutions, he said encouragement of private-public partnership in the health sector was the government’s top priority.

The prime minister regretted that in the past, health facilities in the backward areas of the province had unfortunately been neglected. He also emphasized upon focusing on the maternity health centers because these places lacked facilities.