TAXILA: Member of the National Assembly Tahira Aurangzeb said that provision of quality medical facilities to the public was a top priority of the PML-N government.

She expressed these views after visiting Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Taxila and the Wah General Hospital to review healthcare services. She was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi, Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, Chief Executive Officer of Rawal pindi Waste Management Company, Rana Sajid Safdar, and Assistant Commissioner Maria Javaid.

Hospital administrations briefed the delegation on medical facilities, patient care, cleanliness and available resources. The visitors toured various wards, met patients and sought feedback on the provision of free medicines, diagnostic tests, emergency services, staff attendance and waiting times.

She stated that on the directives of the chief minister, inspection teams are conducting inspections of hospitals to ensure uninterrupted provision of free medicines and essential healthcare facilities to patients.

Discloses that 2,500 doctors had been recruited over past two years in Punjab

MNA Aurangzeb revealed that over 2,500 doctors had been recruited over the past two years and that 585,000 patients across the province had been registered for the home delivery of cardiac medicines, with doorstep delivery completed for 6,000 patients suffering from hepatitis and tuberculosis.

She was of the view that the chief minister had introduced a new governance model under which inspection teams are actively operating in the field.

She said that the government was introducing health reforms to cover essential primary healthcare services and secondary-level hospital care.

She added that the ultimate goal of the government was to use digital technology for harmonisation and integration of health-related issues to improve the health status and welfare of our people”, she added.

She said that reforms will strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots level and deliver long-term benefits to communities across the province.

“Every patient visiting government hospitals must receive treatment with dignity and respect. Free medicines and free tests are firm commitments that will not be compromised,” she said, directing hospital authorities to ensure prompt redressal of patient complaints.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said the district administration was closely monitoring improvements in discipline, cleanliness and facilities. “We want hospitals to be clean, safe and patient-friendly. No negligence in waste management or basic services will be tolerated,” he said, instructing officials to compile daily reports and address shortcomings immediately.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2026