Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed authorities to install a new CT scan machine in every district of the province as part of measures to improve public healthcare services.
The directive was issued during a video-link meeting chaired by the chief minister, where the progress of healthcare initiatives, hospital staffing, digital monitoring, and medical facilities across Punjab was reviewed.
CM Maryam Nawaz also ordered the establishment of telemedicine centers for seasonal and common diseases. Patients will be able to consult doctors through video calls and, where necessary, be referred to the relevant hospital or ward.
The centers will also facilitate appointments with concerned hospital wards, laboratories, and other healthcare facilities.
During the meeting, it was also decided to upgrade 300 Maryam Nawaz Hospitals, formerly Rural Health Centers, into fully fledged hospitals.
The chief minister directed the recruitment of 40,000 doctors and allied health professionals across Punjab. Officials informed the meeting that 2,524 doctors, 2,482 women medical officers, 408 consultants, and 32 cardiologists had already been recruited, while 7,572 lady health visitors and 5,048 support staff had been posted at hospitals across the province.
The meeting also approved the introduction of digital medical boxes for Clinics on Wheels for the first time in Punjab. The system will allow ultrasound, blood sugar, complete blood count (CBC), and ECG tests to be carried out through a single setup.
The boxes will also support cameras for teleconferencing, while mobile-linked smart ultrasound devices will be introduced as part of the initiative.
Officials said 911 Clinics on Wheels had provided medical care to 30 million patients within a short period.
CM Maryam Nawaz also announced a monthly “Hospital of the Month” award for hospitals demonstrating outstanding performance across the province.
She ordered the immediate replacement of medical superintendents at four hospitals over poor performance and negligence of duties and directed authorities to create a pool of doctors and medical superintendents for emergency situations.
The chief minister also called for improved cleanliness and parking facilities at district and tehsil headquarters hospitals.
Clinic Quality Control Officers will be appointed for the first time in Punjab to assess the quality of treatment provided to patients.
Meanwhile, a Directorate of Monitoring and Surveillance has been established in Primary Healthcare to ensure round-the-clock digital monitoring of hospitals. The system will cover district and tehsil headquarters hospitals, Maryam Nawaz Hospitals, Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics, Field Hospitals, and Clinics on Wheels.
The meeting was informed that Community Health Monitoring Health Inspectors had completed registration and data collection for more than 119.8 million people across Punjab.
Officials also said medicines had been delivered to the homes of 3,444 Type 1 diabetes patients, 14,286 hepatitis patients, and 13,864 tuberculosis patients.
The meeting further agreed to introduce legislation linking private clinics with the Health Information Management System (HIMS).
Provincial Secretary for Primary and Secondary Healthcare and Population Nadia Saqib briefed the meeting on the progress of the healthcare initiatives.
The post All Punjab Districts to Get New CT Scan Machines appeared first on ProPakistani.