LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Sunday inaugurated Insaf Medicine Card and distributed cards among patients of hepatitis, AIDS and TB.

Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, SACM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Secretary Primary & Secondary Health and other officials concerned were present at the ceremony held at chief minister’s office.

Mr Buzdar said the project first phase of providing free of cost medicines to hepatitis, AIDS and TB patients would cover 9,862 AIDS patients, 23,560 hepatitis and 70,047 TB patients.

He said a simple procedure had been adopted to facilitate the patients. Under this procedure, a patient would be biometrically verified along with the original ID card from the Tehsil Headquarters or District Headquarters hospital in their respective areas.

After the diagnostic process, the Insaf Medicine Card will be issued to the patient who will be able to take free medicines from the centre concerned.

The chief minister directed the officials to establish separate desks for hepatitis, AIDS and TB patients. A total of 174,882 patients in 36 districts of Punjab would receive cards.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2020