Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid has directed the Vertical Programs of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department to introduce Chip based electronic cards for treatment of TB, HIV and Hepatitis patients. The initiative will help stop duplication of data and bring more transparency into the system.
Chairing the Performance Review meeting of the Vertical Programs at the Committee Room of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, the Minister directed the Vertical Programs to remove data anomalies and introduce evidence-based interventions for tangible improvement.
Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Capt (Retd) Usman Younus, Special Secretary PSH Department Ajmal Bhatti, Additional Secretaries and Managers of Vertical Programs attended the meeting.
The Minister said that in the last one year, almost half-a-million people were given free medicines for Hepatitis, HIV/AIDs and Tuberculosis through the Vertical Programs. Only Hepatitis Control Program is providing diagnostic and treatment services to over 70,000 people, she said. The Minister reviewed details of Programmatic interventions and the strategies to achieve them. The committee of technical experts led by Special Secretary Ajmal Bhatti presented Data Analysis of the vertical programs, districts with high patients of HIV, TB and hepatitis and suggested interventions. “Punjab needs to run special awareness campaigns on re-use of syringes and end of quackery in districts with high prevalence of Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS,” the Minister said. Dr. Yasmin Rashid also emphasized that vacant slots of vaccinators must be immediately filled and said the hiring process must immediately start. “The exam must be conducted in Urdu and as early as possible without compromising transparency in hiring.”
The Minister also said awareness campaign needs to be started in districts low on immunization so that parents can get their children immunized. The Minister also said that accountability will strengthened for vertical programs and performance of staff will be assessed on KPIs.
