LAHORE: Primary and secondary healthcare department Secretary Ali Jan Khan has ordered completion of revamping of 40 district and tehsil headquarters hospitals by October 2017 so that revamp of remaining 85 hospitals can be started timely.

At a meeting with medical superintendents of all DHQ and THQ hospitals here on Sunday, the secretary also ordered implementation of Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS).

He said special measures should be taken for infection control, cleanliness and maintenance of hygienic environment in the hospitals by following the standard operating procedures set by the Punjab Healthcare Commission.

The meeting reviewed procurement of medicines for next year and their availability for the patients, besides progress in upgrade of emergency departments, setting up of intensive care and burns units in every DHQ hospital.

The recently-introduced system to deliver medicines for hepatitis, TB and AIDS patients at their doorstep through courier service was also evaluated.

The secretary was of the view that the main objective of the reforms and development schemes was to ensure provision of quality health services to the patients at local level.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2017