Written by: Muhammad Imran Haider
The greatest blessing of Allah Almighty is health. If health is removed from human life, perhaps no one will desire life at all. In developed countries, health and education are given the highest importance. Quality health facilities and modern education system play a constructive and important role in improving the standard of any nation and social development. Public welfare schemes play a key role in providing facilities to the people. Quality health facilities are the basic right of every citizen.
Steps are being taken by the Government of Punjab to ensure the provision of quality health facilities in province. In light of the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, various measures are being taken to standardize health facilities. While the Punjab government is taking practical steps to provide quality health facilities, on the other hand, it is providing awareness to the public about prevention of various diseases.
In fact, awareness about disease prevention will help prevent various diseases. In this regard, Health week has been started by the Punjab government to provide awareness about various diseases. The health week will continue from November 20 to November 22. The aim of this program is to encourage people to become aware of their health, early diagnosis of diseases and adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Special screening camps have been set up in all government hospitals, tehsil and district headquarters hospitals, rural health centers, and selected primary health centers. In these camps, clinical history and initial examination of patients will be conducted to check their health status.
Basic blood tests will be done to notice any possible disease. Tests will be done for early diagnosis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Liver health will be evaluated by screening for fibrosis. Tests will be provided for early diagnosis of serious diseases like TB. Pregnant women will be provided with special examinations, necessary counseling and vaccinations. Children under two years of age will be vaccinated. This initiative is an important step to increase the health consciousness of the people and provide them with quality medical facilities.
Diabetes patients are increasing rapidly all over the world. A revolutionary step has been taken by the Government of Punjab to protect the diabetic patients from the effects of this disease. The Punjab government has launched the “Chief Minister Insulin” program under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, which aims to provide insulin to children with type 1 diabetes at their homes. Registered patient children will be provided with insulin at their homes, for which special cards will be issued. Supply of insulin will be done by government approved company as per cold chain and other standard procedures.
The Department of Primary and Secondary Health Care Punjab has requested the public to attend health camps organized at their nearest government hospital, tehsil and district headquarters hospital, rural health centers, or selected primary health centers, where registration and screening are done. This initiative of the Punjab government is a reflection of the determination to bring health facilities to the doorsteps of the people. This initiative will help in creating a healthy society.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the first “Chief Minister Dialysis Program Card” in the country’s history. The Chief Minister of Punjab has increased the funds up to 10 lakhs for the treatment of dialysis patients. In Punjab, 850,000 Rs have been earmarked for dialysis and 150,000 Rs for each patient suffering from kidney disease.
The Chief Minister Punjab has directed to ensure free medicines and tests for kidney and bladder patients and to continue dialysis of patients in any case. The Punjab Healthcare Commission has also been directed to ensure implementation of SOPs in dialysis centers and strict monitoring of dialysis centers across the province.
Major projects have already been initiated in Punjab to provide world class health facilities to citizens. In light of the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, historic initiatives like Clinic on Wheels, Field Hospital, free delivery of medicines at homes, Children’s Heart Surgery Program and Air Ambulance have been taken which are commendable.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced the grand health package to provide equal health facilities to the people living in cities and villages without discrimination. In this regard, the Chief Minister has given the task of providing health facilities according to international standards in all primary and rural health centers of the province by March 2025 and has also directed to complete the construction and renovation of all major hospitals of Punjab by June 2025.
In light of the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, provision of quality health facilities is being ensured in Punjab through health-friendly initiatives. Health friendly measures will be useful for a healthy society. These initiatives will be an important milestone in establishing a healthy society.
