QUETTA: The Balochistan government has made some changes in the province’s health department in a bid to improve the performance of eight government hospitals of Quetta.

In a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani here on Monday, it was decided to devolve financial and administrative powers to lower levels and that no pressure or interference would be allowed in the hospitals for smooth working of doctors and other medical staff.

The meeting discussed measures for bringing improvement in the health sector, such as provision of better treatment facilities and hygienic conditions in these hospitals.

Provincial secretaries for health, finance and C&W, the deputy inspector general of police, Quetta, medical superintendents of the eight government hospitals, senior doctors and some other senior officials concerned attended the meeting.

The chief minister sought suggestions from the senior officials for bringing improvement in the health sector.

The meeting discussed matters, including hospitals’ budget, human resources, financial management options, Medical Store Department issues, availability of medicines in these hospitals and repairing of medical equipment and machinery.

Suggestions given by the participants were reviewed during the meeting and it was decided that budgets of the government hospital would be increased.

The meeting also decided to increase financial and administrative powers of the medical superintendents.

He said that all possible steps would be taken to improve treatment facilities at these hospitals.

CM Alyani said people would be encouraged to give their feedback about the performance of these hospitals through social media.

He said the government would provide special packages and other facilities to doctors. In return, he added, the government had many expectations from doctors and hoped they would play a role in making this initiative of bringing improvement in these hospitals a success.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2019