The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Health Department has released Rs50 million for the completion of a burns hospital in Peshawar and plans to establish one each in Chitral, Bannu and Lower Dir as well.
According to a handout issued by the government on Tuesday, Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak chaired a meeting in Peshawar to discuss steps to improve the performance of hospitals and healthcare facilities in the province.
“In order to overcome the deficiency of doctors and paramedical staff in various hospitals, the health department would appoint 550 nurses, 75 specialist doctors and various technicians soon,” read the handout.
Addressing the meeting, CM Khattak said he had visited various hospitals of the province and was greatly perturbed to see a shortage of doctors, nurses and medical equipment. “All government authorities are in fact public servants and we have to provide them (people) better basic facilities,” said Khattak.
The CM ordered inspection teams be constituted to keep an eye on the performance of hospitals and dispensaries in K-P, upon which he was told the chief secretary had already taken action in this regard and chalked out a plan to supervise healthcare facilities.
Khattak also directed the authorities to obtain 80 kanals of land along GT Road for the construction of the proposed Indus Hospital in Peshawar city.
He further directed health authorities to take concrete steps for the eradication of dengue from Malakand and Swat. Khattak emphasised the need to launch massive awareness campaigns so that people can adopt preventative measures. The chief minister also highlighted the need for providing proper facilities at tehsil hospitals and basic health units.
Health Minister Shaukat Yousafzai, Health Secretary Dr Fakhar Alam, Special Secretary Akbar Khan and other officials were also present at the meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2013.
