LAYYAH: The Punjab government has slashed the district budget for the purchase of medicines from Rs19 million to Rs13.4 million.

This was stated by EDO (Health) Dr Ahmad Hasan while giving a briefing at a meeting of the District Advocacy Forum (DAF) held at the District Health Development Directorate here on Friday.

The DAF is a joint venture of the Punjab government and civil society organisation GRM Future Group for the empowerment voices and accountability for better health and nutrition (EVA- BHN).

EVA BHN provincial manager Dr Akhtar Rasheed, Social Welfare DO Muhammad Shahid Rana, district bar members, health officials and journalists were also present.

The EDO (Health) said that 42 seats of specialist doctors, eight seats of male and 11 of female medical officers were lying vacant in the district.

Dr Rasheed said the DAF would work to provide better service delivery by bridging a gap between the community and health official at the basic health unit level.

Union Council’s board member Javaid informed the meeting that a generator donated by an NGO to the BHU, Ladhana, was allegedly taken away by a former EDO (Health).

The EDO (Health) said an inquiry into the matter, on a written complaint by a DAF member, was being conducted by District Officer (Health) Dr Ziaul Hassan. DAF member Fareedullah said the forum was trying to improve the working of health institutions in the district with the active participation of civil society and community members.

He said the DAF assisted in providing a new ambulance to the RHC, Ladhana, while efforts were being made to convert Thal Hospital into a full-fledged women hospital.

Published in Dawn February 14th , 2015

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