LAHORE, May 30: The Punjab Assembly on Friday approved the Punjab Medical and Health Institutions bill, 2003, while the opposition kept protesting against the restrictions imposed on their leader and other colleagues from attending the proceedings.

The new law comes into force at once and replaces the Punjab Medical and Health Institutions Ordinance, 2002.

The law requires that the performance reports of all medical and health institutions in the Punjab be submitted to the government within three months on the conclusion of the calender year. It also makes it mandatory that the performance reports be submitted to the provincial assembly as well as for its consideration.

The law pertains to the management of the health institutions and defines constitution and powers of a board of management. It aims at making provisions for the establishment and efficient running of the management of the medical and health institutions in the province.

The new law requires the constitution of a special selection board to recommend fresh appointments.

Under the law, the chief minister may constitute an administration committee to perform functions of the board till such time the board becomes functional or for the period other board is unable to perform its functions due to any reasons. The chairman of a board will be elected by its members from among the non-official members.

The board of a medical institution will be its main governing body comprising provincial health secretary, finance secretary, principal/head of the institution, chairman of the academic council or representative/nominee of the academic council, six non-official members from among eminent retired professors of medical colleges, prominent retired doctors from the general cadre, management experts/retired civil and military officers, distinguished citizens, notable jurists and financial experts. The medical superintendent of a teaching hospital will be the secretary of the board.