PESHAWAR, May 23: The NWFP chief minister has directed the officials concerned to prepare a plan to instal equipment in hospitals under the public-private partnership scheme to carry out PCR tests for hepatitis B and C patients.

Chief Minister Akram Durrani issued the directive during a meeting of the board of directors of the Health Foundation on Tuesday.

He constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the managing director of the foundation to execute a plan to improve healthcare facilities for people suffering from fatal diseases.

Mr Durrani directed the committee to present recommendations to the board in a month and recommended induction of other experts in the committee to improve its efficiency.

He agreed to a proposal of appointing male nurses in government-run hospitals and directed the authorities concerned to take measures in this respect.

About a permanent office of the Health Foundation, Mr Durrani said that the office should either be shifted to a government-owned building or a new building should be constructed for it.

He directed the committee members to present productive schemes in the next meeting of the board.

The chief minister stressed the need for encouraging private sector’s participation in health projects and providing it loan on soft terms.

About the occupation of a basic health unit in the Pakha Ghulam area by police, he asked the officials concerned to investigate into the matter and present him a detailed report at earliest.