ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan on Monday said legislation will soon be made to bring all health facilities under one umbrella.

He said by upgrading basic health units, human resource will also be improved. Health facilities will be

provided to the citizens at their doorsteps.

He expressed these views during a visit to the Bhara Kahu Rural Health Centre, adding all basic health facilities will be provided at the centre. He also said the outpatient department of the rural health centre can cater to 200 to 300 patients daily.

Dr Sultan said according to the vision of the PTI government, all the basic health units will be upgraded so that the burden on tertiary care hospitals could be decreased.

Says basic health units to be upgraded to lessen patient load on hospitals

At present, tertiary care hospitals such as the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) and Polyclinic also receive patients having minor complaints such as flu and fever. If facilities are provided at the basic health units, the number of patients will decrease substantially at the tertiary care hospitals making it possible for them to provide proper time and attention to critical patients.

Dr Sultan also asked the staff of the rural health centre to give suggestions for the improvement of the facility and assured them that their proposals will be considered.

“We will take all possible steps to provide best possible health facilities,” Dr Sultan said.

Successive governments made tall claims about establishing hospitals in the federal capital and upgrading the basic health facilities but could not fulfil the promises.

During the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, it was announced that one hospital will be constructed near Islamabad Expressway at the junction of Kahuta Road for which 500 kanals was arranged. The second hospital was to be established on Park Road for which 200 kanals had been arranged. The third hospital was being constructed in I-12 near Carriage Factory. It was also announced that under the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration, a 300-bed hospital will be constructed in the federal capital. However, not a single hospital has been completed.

Meanwhile, World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Dr Palitha Mahipala visited the Pakistan Girls Guide Association headquarters in the capital.

He was received by National Commissioner Pakistan Girls Guides Association Maria Maud Sabri. The purpose of the visit was to promote the ‘Wear a Mask Protect Pakistan’ campaign.

Dr Mahipala advised the association members to adhere to public health measures: wearing masks, ensuring hand hygiene and physical distance. He and his team distributed masks and other protective gears among the members, guiders, students and staff.

The national commissioner appreciated WHO support and pledged to ensure implementation of public health measures at their institutions.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2021