BAHAWALNAGAR/OKARA/SAHIWAL: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Monday visited various cities, inspected health facilities and removed the Okara health chief executive officer from his post over [alleged] negligence in coronavirus-related duties.

In Dipalpur (Okara), the CM chaired a meeting at the district public school which was attended by ministers Samsam Ali Bokhari, Noman Langrial, Ijaz Alam Augestine and PTI ticket holders. He sanctioned the widening and reconstruction of 26-km Dipalpur-Okara Road and ordered ‘immediate’ start of work.

Earlier, he visited the THQ hospital and reviewed facilities at male and female isolation wards besides the dialysis centre.

According to a handout, he removed Okara health CEO Abdul Majeed from his post for negligence in duties with regard to combating coronavirus pandemic. The CM also inspected arrangements at wheat a procurement centre regarding sanitisers and social distancing.

On the demand of farmers, he abolished the condition of copy of ‘khasra/girdawari’ of wheat cultivation.

Inspects health facilities during visit to districts; health workers not allowed to meet CM at Chishtian

Mr Buzdar directed the district administration to provide missing facilities at the government college for women, Dipalpur. He pledged to provide development funds on the recommendations of the PTI ticket holders. DC Usman Ali briefed the CM about the stock of wheat, sugar, rice and other edibles.

After Dipalpur, the CM went to Chishtian, inspected cash distribution set-up at Ehsaas Kafalat Centre, visited the THQ hospital and held a meeting with members of provincial and national assemblies and PTI workers.

Buzdar reviewed arrangements at the quarantine unit set up at the THQ hospital. Owing to the ‘surprise’ visit of the chief minister to the hospital, patchwork was done on some roads and attendants of patients were removed from the premises of the hospital.

Buzdar directed the administration to further improve the isolation ward and said the government would provide all necessary facilities to health workers. However, lady health workers (LHWs) and other staff lodged a protest against the administration as they were not allowed to meet the chief minister.

Mr Buzdar visited the Daanish School, Chishtian, by helicopter and planted a sapling on the lawn. During his visit to the school, the women, who wanted to speak to the CM, were not allowed to meet him. Police removed the health workers from the route of the chief minister by telling them that a meeting would be arranged and they would be driven to Chishtian from the Daanish School. Dozens of lady health workers had raised the issue of delayed salaries and dismissal from jobs during CM’s previous visit.

The CM held a meeting with ministers Shaukat Ali Lalika, Tahir Bashir Cheema, Shaukat Basra, elected representatives, and PTI district president and general secretary. The meeting reviewed the Covid-19 situation, patient care, purchase of wheat as well as anti-dengue campaign.

During the last leg of his visit, Mr Buzdar arrived Sahiwal by chopper and spoke to the media at DHQ teaching hospital. He said Rs620 million had been set aside for increasing coronavirus testing facility up to 10,000 a day. He said the provincial government would also promulgate an ordinance to check hoarding. He said the government would allocate financial resources for a cardiac centre and a children hospital in Sahiwal city.

He said the government was committed to establish residential colonies for journalists at divisional headquarter level. The CM inaugurated a new emergency block at DHQ hospital, visited a quarantine centre and inspected the ‘Corona Control room’ at DC Office.

During his stay at night, he is likely to meet parliamentarians and party activists.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2020