RAWALPINDI: After outsourcing seven Basic Health Units (BHUs) in Rawalpindi, the Punjab government will start the process of outsourcing 20 more BHUs in the district from April 8.

There are a total of 98 BHUs in the district, seven of which were outsourced in February.

Twenty more will be outsourced by June 1 and branded as Maryam Nawaz Clinics.

Patients will receive free medical treatment for conditions such as fever and flu, as well as gynaecological services, with the government covering the expenses of private doctors.

The 20 BHUs to be outsourced are located in Dhoke Parh, Hayal Sharif, Bijnial, Chahan, Chapar and Dhoke Budhal in Rawalpindi tehsil; Jajja, Dhoong, Jermote Kala, Jatli, Ramay, Sangoori and Pothis Bijnial in Gujar Khan Tehsil; Bakhral and Choha Khalsa in Kallar Syedan; Karor and Malot Sattian in Kotli Sattian; Kali Mitti in Murree and Hanesar and Mowara in Kahuta.

Seven out of the total 98 BHUs were outsourced in February across several villages

District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Asif Arbab Niazi told Dawn that the provincial government had asked for the selection of BHUs located on main roads and in densely populated areas after the successful outsourcing of seven BHUs in the district.

He said the health authority had selected 20 BHUs and sent the list to the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department.

He added that applications had been invited from doctors to run these BHUs by April 8.

Once applications are received, the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department will interview candidates and hand over the BHUs to successful applicants by June 1.

Each BHU will have one medical practitioner with an MBBS degree, along with a dispenser, a lady health visitor and other staff members.

The doctor will provide medicines and laboratory tests free of charge.

The provincial government will pay a maximum of Rs800,000 to each doctor for services provided to patients.

Dr Niazi stated that the doctor would be responsible for providing medicine for fever, flu, and other minor ailments, strictly using medicines from approved companies.

“The District Health Authority will also monitor whether patients are receiving the required facilities and will submit reports on a weekly and monthly basis,” he said.

The outsourced BHUs will also participate in government health initiatives, such as anti-polio campaigns, the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), family planning and tuberculosis treatment.

Responding to a question about the seven BHUs outsourced on February 1, Dr Niazi said that patients had been receiving medical treatment there and no complaints had been received so far.

However, he said that data was being compiled on the number of patients treated and a survey would be conducted to assess their satisfaction with the facilities.

He added that the number of visitors at the outsourced BHUs had tripled, with more people opting to register expectant mothers at their respective BHUs.

“The data on delivery cases is verified through patients’ computerised national identity cards, which are entered into a software system and cross-checked by a special team from the department,” he said.

Regarding the future of doctors currently posted at these BHUs, Dr Niazi stated that they would be accommodated at tehsil headquarters and district headquarters hospitals.

“There are some vacant posts in these hospitals, and the doctors will be deployed there within their respective tehsils,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2025