Thursday, October 10, 2013 - Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has started Mother and Child Health Services in 35 different Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Mobile Health Services in district Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Swat, Charsadda, Mansehra and Haripur. This was stated in a briefing given to the Chief Minister Pervez Khattak by the high ups of the health department here on Wednesday.
Secretary Health, Dr. Fakhr-e-Alam gave a detailed briefing on the progress so far made with regard to the reforms in health sector, and measures taken to strength the health service delivery outlets in the light of the policy guidelines of the incumbent provincial government. It merits a mention here that the provincial government has already launched free emergency service in hospitals at a cost of Rs. 1000 million.
Similarly, PC-1 for Special Health Protection Program, TB Control programme, Extended Programme of immunization and Dengue virus outbreak management with estimated costs of Rs. 1156 millions, Rs. 946 million, Rs. 53 million and Rs.59 million respectively have been approved. In addition, funds to the tune of Rs. 25 millions have been released for the establishment of Insulin Bank. To overcome the deficiency of doctors and nurses in different healthcare service delivery outlets of the province, contracts of 240 doctors has been extended, a case to appoint 300 doctors on contract basis has been finalized and 46 new posts of medical officers at BHU level have been sanctioned.
Apart from that 257 nurses have been appointed through public service commission and 349 contracts appointments of nurses finalized. The Chief Minister directed the authorities to further expedite the recruitment process of doctors and other para-medic staff in hospitals. He especially directed the concerned quarters to take all necessary steps to fill up the gapes of staff and to ensure the availability of all the required medical equipment and medicines in district level hospitals on priority basis.
Pervez Khattak made it clear that there would be no compromise on reforms in health and education sectors as it was the top priority of his government to provide maximum relief to the people in both the sectors. He further directed the concerned authorities to revitalize and strengthen the drug inspection bodies and to have a construct check on spurious drugs in the market and take actions against the unqualified doctors and quacks involved in medical practices. General Secretary Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, Jahangir Tareen, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other high ups of health department attended the briefing.
Secretary health said that in a bid to refresh medical laws and strengthen medical institutions and revised drafts of the Medical and Healthcare and Institution Act and Health Regularity Authority Act have been prepared, Drug & Food Safety Authority Act has been sent to cabinet for approval while revision of Health Foundation Act is in process. Similarly management of Health Regularity Authority has been revamped and work on the constitutions of District Health Coordination Boards is in process, he told. He further informed that in collaboration with a German Organization Social Health protection program was being launched initially in four districts including Chitral, Kohat, Mardan and Malakand and a contract to this effect will be signed with the German Organization next week.
