LAHORE, Nov 4: Punjab is all set to ‘overhaul’ healthcare delivery system and implement the reforms from next month.

For the purpose, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has formed a nine-member committee to submit its recommendations by Nov 25 for action.

The committee comprises the health secretary (convener), University of Health Sciences Vice-Chancellor Prof Hussain Mubashar, Allama Iqbal Medical College principal Prof Javed Akram, Nishter Medical College Principal Laeequr Rehman, Fatima Memorial Trust Hospital chief executive Prof Shahina Rehman, MPA Dr Saeed Elahi, Director General Health Services Dr Aslam Chaudhry, Young Doctors Association representative Dr Somia Iqtidar and a representative of an NGO working in the field of healthcare.

The committee will deliberate and make recommendations regarding patient-care and issues related to the image of medical profession at large, provision of efficient services in the hospitals with special reference to availability of staff, operational status of equipment, and standards of cleanliness and sanitation.

The body has also been mandated to analyse an ‘overwhelming’ majority of female students in the medical colleges and the issues of their utility in the field after they became doctor.

It will also look into the scarcity of trained nursing staff and technicians, accountability of service providers including consultants, medical officers and nursing staff, and a performance-based reward system.

“Effective healthcare system means delivery of comprehensive, meaningful and satisfactory service to the people,” a senior doctor told Dawn.

He said in the past there was too much concentration on doctors to improve the healthcare system, whereas it should be a multi-disciplinary effort, using a bio-psycho-social model. “One does not treat patients with medicines only but must take care of their social wellbeing. Health is defined by World Health Organization a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing of a patient,” he maintains.

The doctor further said those at the helm of affairs were under the impression that by improving the doctor-patient ratio the healthcare delivery system could be improved. “We are facing extreme shortage of nurses and allied health sciences resources. Besides addressing this issue, an inbuilt system of evaluation and accountability should also be introduced,” he suggested.