RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Caretaker Minister for Primary Health and Healthcare Dr Jamal Nasir on Friday said all consultants and doctors at Murree Tehsil Headquarters Hospital have put on high alert in view of the tourist rush during the summer vacation and Eid holidays.

Talking to newsmen he said the government had approved special budget for the THQ hospital renovation.

The hospital’s original capacity of 82 beds has been restored and 14 more nurses appointed.

The minister said that the operation theater of the hospital would be made functional within a week time and dialysis of kidney patients will be started from July 15.

The minister said that round the clock presence of doctors and staff was being ensured in all the departments of the hospital including maternity and paediatrics departments and in the pathology laboratory so that patients did not have to wait unduly.

The minister directed for posting more staff at the slip issuance counter to avoid crowding.

He said that Basic Health Units in Murree were also being improved to ease pressure on THQ.

The Caretaker Minister for Primary Health and Population Welfare Dr Jamal Nasir visited THQ Murree. He inspected OPD, pathology laboratory, dental clinic and X-ray room. He also examined sugar level of a number of patients.

Speaking on this occasion, the caretaker minister said that all the hospitals across Punjab including those in Murree and Kotli Sattian were being monitored by him through video link from Lahore.

He said the caretaker government was making best possible efforts for ensuring provision of quality public health facilities to the common citizens.

Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on June 17expressed his severe indignation over closure of few departments in Murree Tehsil Headquarters hospital and ordered to open closed departments immediately.

He also asked the administration to repair the security cameras installed in Murree as soon as possible.

He visited Tehsil Headquarter HospitalMurree. He reviewed treatment facilities being provided to the patients in the hospital and made a detailed inspection of Emergency, OPD, Mother and Child Ward, Pharmacy and other departments.

Mohsin Naqvi inquired after the patients and asked about medical facilities being provided to them. He also inspected the extended project building of the hospital and directed early completion of the building.

He asserted that the Health department should initiate the induction process of nurses on the vacant posts in the hospital immediately.

Mohsin Naqvi stated that only six nurses are discharging their duties on the 29 approved posts of nurses adding that no hospital can function 24 hours with six nurses.

Punjab Chief Minister stated that direction has been issued to the Punjab Caretaker Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Doctor Jamal Nasir to improve healthcare facilities adding that Doctor Jamal Nasir will remain present in Murree till improvement of hospital affairs.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2023