LAHORE: Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir said that 362,000 people were screened at 438 medical camps set up across Punjab during Health Week that was observed in August.

Speaking at the launch of the Health Week report at an Egerton Road hotel on Sunday, he claimed that the decision of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to bifurcate the health department into two entities had increased service delivery and efficiency in the health sector.

He said the government was trying to fill the gaps in health sector prevailing for 70 years.

“Some individual act of negligence spoils the image of the whole department,” he said, adding that the night duty hours of gynaecologists would be monitored strictly.

Minister for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique said the government was expanding the network of hospitals and health facilities throughout Punjab and spending billions of rupees in the health sector as compared to other provinces. He claimed that best health facilities were being provided in hospitals at tehsil and district headquarters level.

Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary Ali Jan Khan briefed the participants about the Health Week report. He said its findings would help prevent and cure communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Members of international health organisations and donor partners appreciated the department for taking this positive step directly related to the health of the poor.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2017