‘Clinics on Wheel’ being relaunched

LAHORE: Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir has said that ‘Clinics on Wheel’ programme is being relaunched with a new mechanism, at the end of April, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

He said this while chairing a meeting here on Friday. Health Secretary Ali Jan Khan, Special Secretaries Raja Mansoor and Muhammad Ahmed, DG Health Services Dr Ilyas Gondal, Additional Secretary Dr Yunus and other officials were present.

Kh Imran Nazir further said that the revamping of 2,500 rural health centres and 300 basic health units would be completed by March 2028. After the revamping of BHUs and RHCs, modern medical facilities will be provided at the local level, he added.

The minister said that the entire health system was being upgraded according to the vision of the chief minister. He said that the health department was providing ample resources to provide medical facilities to the people in all health facilities. He said that the capacity building of lady health visitors and lady health workers would be done in modern medical style. He also said that immediately after Eid-ul-Fitr, he would visit the hospitals of other districts and review the medical facilities.

Kh Salman reviews Air Ambulance service plan

Provincial Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique visited the Emergency Services Department, Thokar Niaz Baig to review the plan of providing Air Ambulance service to the people of Punjab.

He also visited Cadets Hostel and Managers Training Centre. During the meeting, Secretary Emergency Services Department Punjab Dr Rizwan Naseer briefed the minister on air ambulance service and service delivery.

He said that the biggest project in the history of Punjab was going to start in the form of the Air Ambulance Service. The Department of Emergency Services will also provide services on the motorway. Rescuers will be deployed at the entry and exit points of the motorway.

The minister said that after the training of the emergency medical technicians, the examination organised by Aga Khan University was conducted. Motorbike rescuers have provided emergency services to more than four million citizens so far. The rate of traffic accidents has increased alarmingly. Rescue 1122 has so far rescued more than 380,000 citizens in the flood-affected areas. More than 24,000 rescuers from other provinces have been trained so far in the Emergency Services Academy.

Kh Salman Rafique said that the Road Safety Act must be strictly implemented as 80% of traffic accidents involve motorcycles. The scope of the emergency services department of Punjab is being widely expanded, he said.

Dr Rizwan Naseer said that the quality of relief operations for the people was being further improved. We are improving the emergency management system. Air Ambulance Service plan is continuously monitored, he added. Meanwhile, Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique offered the Taraweeh prayer as a special guest at the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP).

Former Caretaker Health Minister Prof Dr Javed Akram also participated on this occasion. The ceremony was organised by President CPSP and FJMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Masood Gondal.

Salman Rafique said that may Allah Almighty bless our country and nation in this holy month. He said that Pakistan is currently standing on a critical crossroads. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, we have undertaken to serve the people.