Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the conversion of 300 rural health centers across the province into full-fledged hospitals as part of new healthcare measures, it was reported on Friday.
The decision was announced during a meeting chaired by Maryam Nawaz, where officials gave a detailed briefing on healthcare reforms, digital facilities, hospital performance and monitoring systems across Punjab.
Under the plan, 300 Rural Health Centers will be converted into full hospitals to provide patients with improved treatment and diagnostic facilities.
The chief minister was also briefed about the introduction of Punjab’s first digital medical box. The device can be connected to a camera to facilitate teleconferencing and remote medical consultations. It will also allow tests including ultrasound, blood sugar, CBC and ECG.
A smart ultrasound device that can be linked to a mobile phone will also be introduced to improve access to diagnostic services.
The meeting also discussed the establishment of telemedicine centers for seasonal and common illnesses. Patients will be able to consult doctors through video calls, while those requiring further treatment will be referred to the relevant hospital or ward.
The telemedicine centers will also help patients schedule appointments and laboratory tests at the relevant facility.
Maryam Nawaz directed officials to introduce a “Hospital of the Month” award for the best-performing hospitals across Punjab. She also ordered the immediate replacement of four hospital medical superintendents over poor performance and negligence, according to the briefing.
The meeting was informed that more than 40,000 doctors and allied health staff had been recruited in Punjab. This includes 2,524 doctors, 2,482 women medical officers, 408 consultants and 32 cardiologists. A total of 7,572 Lady Health Visitors and 5,048 support staff have also been deployed.
The chief minister directed officials to establish an emergency pool of doctors and medical superintendents to deal with emergency situations. She also ordered the provision of new CT scan machines in every district to strengthen diagnostic facilities.
Maryam Nawaz further directed the establishment of telemedicine centers for common and seasonal diseases and ordered the appointment of clinic quality control officers to analyses the standard of treatment being provided to patients.
A Directorate of Monitoring and Surveillance has also been established in primary healthcare to ensure 24-hour digital monitoring of public health facilities.
The monitoring system will cover District Headquarters Hospitals, Tehsil Headquarters Hospitals, Maryam Nawaz Hospitals, Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics, field hospitals and Clinics on Wheels. The chief minister also directed officials to improve cleanliness and parking arrangements at district and tehsil hospitals.
The briefing stated that community health monitoring through health inspectors had resulted in the registration and data collection of more than 119.8 million people across Punjab. The government is also providing medicines at the homes of 3,444 Type 1 diabetes patients, 14,286 hepatitis patients and 13,864 tuberculosis patients.
Officials further agreed to introduce legislation to connect private clinics with the Health Information Management System (HIMS). Secretary Primary Health and Population Nadia Saqib gave a detailed briefing during the video-link meeting.
