Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved a major healthcare expansion plan aimed at improving medical services across the province. Under the plan, around 40,000 doctors and healthcare workers will be recruited, while CT scan machines will be installed in every district.
The initiative also includes the establishment of telemedicine centres and the upgradation of 300 Maryam Nawaz Hospitals to improve healthcare facilities and access to medical services across Punjab.
A meeting chaired by the chief minister was informed that 2,524 doctors, 2,482 women medical officers, 408 consultants and 32 cardiologists have already been recruited. In addition, 7,572 lady health visitors (LHVs) and 5,048 support staff have been posted at hospitals across Punjab.
The chief minister also ordered the installation of a new CT scan machine in every district and directed authorities to establish telemedicine centres to provide consultations for seasonal and common illnesses.
Under the telemedicine initiative, patients will be able to consult doctors through video calls. Where necessary, patients will be referred to the appropriate hospital or ward. The centres will also facilitate appointments with relevant hospital wards, laboratories and other healthcare facilities.
Maryam Nawaz ordered the immediate replacement of the medical superintendents of four hospitals over what she described as poor performance and negligence of duty. She also directed authorities to establish a pool of doctors and medical superintendents to respond to emergencies and improve the availability of medical staff during crises.
The chief minister ordered improvements to cleanliness and parking facilities at district headquarters (DHQ) and tehsil headquarters (THQ) hospitals. She further announced that Punjab would appoint clinic quality control officers for the first time to assess the standard of treatment being provided to patients. Meanwhile, a Directorate of Monitoring and Surveillance has been established within the Primary Healthcare Department to ensure round-the-clock digital monitoring of hospitals across the province.