LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the authorities concerned to meet shortage of specialist doctors in the district hospitals at the earliest.

The CM sought a plan from the Health Department for cardiology, neuro, paeds and other necessary specialities during a meeting here on Friday. The proposal to focus on specialisation of doctors according to needs of patients was also reviewed.

It was agreed to propose a special package for specialist doctors in district hospitals. An emphasis was placed on meeting the need of specialist doctors in remote hospitals across Punjab.

It was principally decided to ensure provision of urgently-required medical equipment for heart patients in the districts.

The proposal to provide Cath laboratories in different districts of Punjab in five phases was also reviewed. The machines will be provided to Lahore’s PIC, Sir Ganga Ram, Mayo Hospital, Khawaja Safdar Memorial Hospital in Sialkot and Cardiology Institute, Wazirabad.

The Cath laboratories will be installed in Sahiwal, Faisalabad and Multan Institute of Cardiology.

“Cath labs will also be established in Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, and Multan’s Nishtar Hospital,Gujranwala Hospital and Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology,” the meeting was told.

The meeting also discussed a proposal to bring improvement to the ‘Universal Health Programme’.

Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Zahid Bokhari, Health Adviser Dr Azhar Kayani, Parliamentary Secretary Rushda Lodhi, MPA Sania Ashiq, Dr Adnan Khan, the chief secretary, chairman P&D, secretary health, principal secretary to CM were also present.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2024