Staff Reporter
Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal on Sunday paid a whirlwind visit to Sargodha District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) following the death of four children due to shortage of medical oxygen.
On the occasion, the chief secretary said that the Punjab government will immediately provide two ventilators to DHQ Teaching Hospital Sargodha to avert any such incident in future.
He said that the government is committed to provide quality healthcare to the masses and billions of rupees have been spent for the purpose.
The medical superintendent (MS) of the DHQ Hospital briefed that chief secretary that medical facilities including medical oxygen were present at the paediatrics ward.
He claimed that the cause of the death of the newborn children was not the shortage of oxygen.
The MS informed Kamran Ali Afzal that the babies had born at their residences and were brought to the hospital in critical condition.
The chief secretary issued directives to immediately provide two ventilators to the paediatrics ward of the hospital besides summoning a report regarding the issues being faced by the hospital administration.
He said that all necessary resources related to healthcare will be provided by the provincial government.
The CS inspected the emergency, urology, dengue and various wards in the hospital and said that all requisite resources would be provided for the health facilities.
He said that in the next annual development program, huge funds would be allocated for district hospitals.
The CS also enquired from the patients about provision of medical facilities and asked them and their families whether or not medical facilities and medicines are being provided.
The patients, however, expressed satisfaction over the provision of facilities in the hospital. The CS directed the MS to follow the policy of one attendant with the patient while appealing to the citizens that only one person should stay in the hospital with the patient. He said that special attention should be paid to the treatment of dengue patients.
On the request of a patient, the CS also issued instructions to the MS regarding the provision of medicines.
He directed that best medical facilities, supply of medicines, attendance of staff should be ensured and doctors, nurses and staff should treat patients politely.
He said the quality of medical facilities at the hospital would be further improved. The CS was informed that currently, 14 patients are undergoing treatment in dengue ward of the hospital.
Later, the CS presided over a meeting at the Commissioner’s Office. The meeting reviewed development schemes, price control measures, corona vaccination, pending cases and law and order situation. He said that Corona vaccination is a national goal and the campaign should be continued in full swing.
He directed that implementation of open door policy should be ensured and all administrative officers should fix at least one hour daily for the public. He said that corruption would not be tolerated in any case and no leniency should be shown to the officers and officials involved in corruption.
The Chief Secretary also directed to ensure timely utilization of funds and transparency in development schemes.
He said progress on the projects would be reviewed regularly. He said that public complaints related to revenue should be resolved on priority basis.
He directed that availability of essential commodities, especially flour and sugar should be ensured at fixed rates. He said that the setting up of Deputy Commissioner counters at big stores is a good initiative. The Commissioner, and RPO Sargodha gave briefing to the Chief Secretary. All the deputy commissioners of Sargodha Division and concerned officers attended the meeting.
