Staff Reporter
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza in the wake of Dengue outbreak in the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi has announced support of private and public sector hospitals empanelled by Sehat Sahulat Program in managing dengue in Islamabad and Rawalpindi after holding a meeting with their owners.
Dr. Zafar Mirza speaking on the occasion shared the current status of Dengue outbreak in the country and briefed the participants about the added burden it has created on already loaded health care facilities in public sector of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He proposed to private sector hospitals for their support and coordination with the government of Pakistan in managing this emergency situation for bringing relief to the common man.
Participants of the meeting appreciated the efforts of the incumbent government in taking steps for assuring quality health care services in Pakistan. Representatives of hospitals offered their complete support to Dr. Zafar Mirza in this crisis situation and assured that they and their hospital will accommodate indoor patients, which cannot be accommodated in the public sector hospitals. They generously offered a required number of beds in their institutions for this purpose. They also appreciated the pro-poor initiative of Sehat Sahulat Program in providing financial protection to families who otherwise could not have been able to afford expensive indoor health care services.
Special Assistant to PM on Health lauded the commitment made by the private sector hospitals in this crisis situation and directed his team to immediately develop the mechanism for coordinating this partnership. In this context and during this period of Dengue outbreak, a system would be put in place through which additional / overflow patients would be provided indoor treatment in the private sector health care facilities without any cost to the patients.
Dr. Zafar Mirza also assured that this public-private partnership will be taken to next level where services can be provided to population, both by public and private sector health care facilities, without placing families under financial constraints.
