PESHAWAR, Jan 4: NWFP Minister for Health Inayatullah Khan has asked officials concerned to submit a report on the Saidu Group of Hospitals so that they could be granted autonomy and teaching status.

The minister was presiding over a meeting convened to discuss plans for bringing about improvement at health outlets in district Swat. The meeting reviewed the progress of schemes related to health institutions' improvement which included upgrade of the Saidu Group of Hospitals, extension projects of civil hospitals of Matta, Madyan, Kalam and Minglor and elevation of the Charbagh basic health unit to the rural health centre level.

Similarly, steps to improve efficiency of health staff were also discussed. The meeting was informed that Rs29 million had been allocated for rehabilitation of the existing health facilities in the district.

Expressing his anguish over an unnecessary delay in the implementation of development projects, the minister expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the planning cell of the department.

In order to expedite work on uplift schemes, the minister asked the additional health secretary to clear all hurdles in the development projects within 15 days.

The minister directed the staff to improve its efficiency and asked the authorities concerned to advertise vacant posts. There was no ban on recruitment of technical staff in the department, the minister remarked.

He also directed for accommodating local staff in the remote areas to ensure smooth delivery of health services. Mr Khan also directed the authorities to keep abreast with the progress of uplift activities in their areas.

The meeting was attended, among others, by MPAs Mohammad Amin, Pir Mohammad Khan, Maulana Irfanullah, Maulana Nizamuddin, and DG Health Dr Jalilur Rehman, Dr Mohammad Rafiq, DCO Swat Khan Saeed, acting EDO Health and MS of Saidu Group of Hospitals.