Doctors in BHUs, RHCs to get special allowances: Maryam

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the health department to complete the construction and revamping of basic health units (BHUs) and rural health centres (RHCs), along with major hospitals across Punjab by March and June 2025, respectively.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz issued these directions during a three-hour meeting to review the progress on the CM Punjab Special Health Initiatives.

She made a historic decision to grant special allowances to doctors working in health centres and hospitals in remote areas of the province.

The authorities told the chief minister that the construction of Phase-I of Nawaz Sharif Cancer Care Hospital has begun at a cost of Rs46 billion. The hospital will feature cancer care clinics, state-of-the-art facilities, world-class doctors and their residences, solar sheds and parking, as well as inns and restaurants for the convenience of patients’ relatives.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed an increase in the number of beds from 100 to 150 in the first phase, with plans to expand to over 280 beds in the second phase of the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Care Hospital.

Maryam Nawaz was informed that the supply of medicines was being ensured in all health centres and hospitals across Punjab. She evaluated a proposal to establish a specialised hospital in Punjab for bone marrow transplants and suggested starting a free insulin programme in the province. She also directed the immediate start of construction of the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha and reviewed issues related to the outsourcing of angiography services.

“Monitoring is essential in every sector; a system of continuous monitoring of hospitals is being developed,” she noted. She instructed the health secretary to assess the facilities available in hospitals concerning the rush of patients. The chief minister emphasized the priority completion of health projects and optimal utilisation of existing infrastructure. She approved a special project to implant artificial limbs for disabled people and agreed to establish a cancer treatment unit at the Qatar Hospital in Bhakkar.

Maryam further directed the prompt operationalisation of PIC-II Cardiology and agreed with the proposal to establish a large hospital in Rajanpur.

She conducted a detailed review of health projects in each division of Punjab and sought timelines for each project. “Every new health project should set a new example in quality and standard. No compromise on quality will be tolerated,” she underscored.

It was revealed that field hospitals will be available in every tehsil of Punjab, with a special lift already operational for patient convenience. She also evaluated converting Simli TB Hospital to a general hospital and establishing medical colleges in every district on a public-private partnership basis.

The chief minister was informed that 50% of students in these medical colleges will be admitted on government merit. The installation of an EMR system for digital records in primary and rural health centres has been completed. She approved handing over the Government Data Durbar Eye Hospital to the Auqaf Department. Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir joined the meeting via video link.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in a meeting with Pakistan Muslim League MNA Malik Afzal Khokhar said public welfare requires joint efforts at the local level. She added, “The PMLN is a public party and believes in democratically solving public problems.”

The chief minister explained, “The Lahore Development Plan includes the construction of water supply and drainage systems, connecting roads and paved streets, the installation of streetlights, and maintenance of parks.” She highlighted the need to complete this project at the earliest, along with undertaking new projects to ensure citizen welfare.

Malik Afzal Khokhar appreciated Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s special interest and vision for uplifting and revamping Lahore.