Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has reportedly ordered stricter scrutiny of all civil officers.
Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has vowed to transform the province’s health sector, aiming to bring top-notch medical facilities directly to citizens’ doorsteps. In a decisive meeting on health sector reforms, significant changes were proposed and agreed upon.
Chairing the special session, Maryam Nawaz ordered the swift completion of construction and repairs for health centers by March. The meeting emphasized the importance of biometric attendance in health centers, tehsil, and district hospitals to ensure accountability.
Key decisions included the establishment of thalassemia centers in district headquarters hospitals, integrated with regional blood centers, and the creation of well-woman clinics across district hospitals. Each division will be equipped with mammography machines, and a mobile “Clinic on Wheels” will rotate among districts to provide essential services.
Expressing stern disapproval of reported extortion by hospital guards, Maryam Nawaz took strict action against such malpractices. She also mandated the rapid activation of laparoscopy and endoscopy services in hospitals. Plans were set in motion for a state-of-the-art hospital in Rajanpur.
The meeting decided to outsource the latest Tesla MRI machines for Sheikhupura and Bahawalnagar, and agreed on proposals to equip Tehsil headquarters hospitals with ventilators and trained staff. Hospital cleanliness will be mechanized with the introduction of mechanical sweepers.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the health department to ensure the free provision of medicines and improve the medicine supply chain. Select Rural Health Centers (RHCs) will be upgraded to active hospitals, with bi-annual third-party audits and enhanced training for health staff, including ECG training for lady health visitors.
By March, 24-hour services will be available at 200 primary health centers in Punjab. Additionally, 717 health nutrition supervisors will receive specialized training, and specialists in anesthesia, pediatrics, and cardiology will conduct weekly visits to remote hospitals. CT scan and pathology services will also be outsourced.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reiterated her commitment to making comprehensive healthcare accessible to every citizen. She highlighted the urgent need for specialized human resources in hospitals and advocated for the adoption of home-delivery health services and laparoscopic surgery in government hospitals.
“The past four years have seen a crisis of governance in every sector, including health,” she remarked, underscoring the necessity for robust reforms to achieve sustainable improvement.
Punjab Government Cracks Down on Alleged Corruption in Civil Service
LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced a crackdown on officers appointed through political influence or bribery with aim to combat alleged corruption within the civil service.
Sources close to the government revealed that investigations are underway into appointments made during the previous administration, with a particular focus on those suspected of securing positions through improper means.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has reportedly ordered stricter scrutiny of all civil officers. Individuals suspected of acquiring positions through political connections or bribery will be barred from holding positions of significant responsibility.
To ensure merit-based appointments going forward, a four-member government board has been established. The board, led by Chief Minister Nawaz, will also include Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman.
Following the principle of “Right Man for Right Job,” appointments will be based on a rigorous interview process that considers an individual’s past performance, merit, and abilities. Additionally, formal procedures have been implemented to evaluate the performance of both police and civil administration officers.
This initiative by the Punjab government signifies a strong stance against perceived corruption within the civil service. By prioritizing merit and transparent procedures, the government aims to ensure a more effective and accountable bureaucracy.
