Maryam okays programme to rid Punjab of spurious drugs

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved a programme to rid Punjab of spurious drugs. “We as Pakistanis will have to wake up our conscience, work hard, fix our intentions and fear God,” she said while approving the programme to rid Punjab of substandard medicines.

She added: “To fix the system, rewards and punishments will have to be added at every level.”

She said: “Cleanliness should be ensured in hospitals, negligence will not be tolerated. In all health departments, there should be no compromise on quality of medicine, sanitation, availability of doctors, medical staff and treatment facilities in the Emergency. The presence of doctors and medical staff in every government treatment centre should be ensured. We are deciding to impose fines, imprisonment and closure of business for those selling fake medicines.”

She approved a programme to upgrade mother and child health and emergency facilities in every government treatment centre of Punjab on an emergency basis. “Supply of all emergency treatment medicines and lifesaving equipment should be made a top priority. Ensure availability of 24-hour laboratory, X-ray, ultrasound and wheelchairs.” “The entire health system needs to be overhauled and monitoring and accountability system must be introduced,” Maryam said while chairing a three-hour meeting to review health sector reforms for the second consecutive day. She directed the authorities concerned to rectify weaknesses in the vaccination campaign. She approved increasing the number of field hospitals to 105 and directed ensuring field hospitals in Tehsils. She gave approval to revamp 11 major hospitals in different cities. Also, Maryam on Wednesday launched the Traffic Response Unit in Lahore. She asked for providing an alternative place for carriages. Later, she chaired a meeting on traffic management, in which enforcement of the Intelligence Traffic Signal Management System in Lahore was reviewed. She directed improving the flow of traffic in Lahore at the earliest and conducting an effective awareness campaign on lane restrictions for rickshaws and motorbikes.