Staff Reporter
Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid gave away motorbikes to district TB Labs Supervisors at the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department here on Wednesday. The motorbikes were donated by the WHO to Punjab Health Minister for distribution to the staff.
Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Sarah Aslam, DG Punjab Health Services Dr Haroon Jehangir, Head of Office WHO Punjab Dr Jamshed, Additional Secretary Admin P&SH Department Farid Ahmed, Prof Javed Chaudhry and other officials were also present on the occasion. The Health Minister also inaugurated tree plantation campaign on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Health Minister informed that Pakistan is fifth country among the 30 countries facing TB cases.
“Out of these patients, 60% are from Punjab. We are grateful to the WHO for the donation of these motor bikes as timely diagnosis can help control spread of TB.” The minister said that the WHO has also supported Punjab a great deal during the corona pandemic. “Our District TB Lab Supervisors are experienced.
Free TB medicines are being provided to people at 306 BHUs, 146 DHQs and THQs, 33 Teaching Hospitals, 13 TB Clinics and 48 private sector public hospitals.
In Punjab 636 microscopy Labs, 163 Gene Expert labs, 7 BSL2 and 3 BSL3 labs are providing free diagnostic services. In year 2020, more than 500,000 people were provided microscopy services. Over 93 per cent new cases were provided free medicines.
Lab supervisors have key role in lab monitoring and supervision. Today, all Lab Supervisors are being provided motorbikes with the support of the WHO.”
Secretary Primary and Secondary Health Sarah Aslam said she was grateful to the WHO for supporting the department. The WHO is also providing Bio Safety kits. She said the department is constantly in touch with the WHO experts.
The WHO is also providing support for staff training in Hafizabad currently. WHO Head of office Dr Jamshed said the WHO shall continue to support the government for healthcare services.
He said the Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has rendered great services to health services in Punjab.
Meanwhile, Dr Yasmin Rashid reviewed progress on Prime Minister Health Initiative and vertical programs at the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department.
Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Sarah Aslam gave briefing to the Health Minister on all vertical programs including EPI.
The Health Minister said, “Under the Prime Minister Health Initiative upgradation of public sector hospitals. All vertical programs are providing services to patients in Punjab.
Measures are being adopted to keep BHUs to 24/7 model. We want to achieve 100 % immunization coverage under EPI Program. All MS are being directed to consolidate data on birth registration.
As per vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan we are trying to provide good quality services to people. We have ensured improvement in services through Punjab Health Sector Strategy.
State of the art mother and child hospitals are built in Punjab. By 31st December we will distribute health cards among 29.3 million families in Punjab.”
