LAHORE, July 7: Punjab Health Secretary Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan has said planning is on to launch Punjab Ambulance Service in the province and instructions have been issued to the health director general to prepare a feasibility report in this regard.

He said this while presiding over a meeting at his office on Thursday to review the performance of hospitals and the pace of implementation of health projects in Dera Ghazi Khan.

Health Special Secretary Wasim Mukhtar, Health Additional Secretary (Establishment) Daud Muhammad Khan, Additional Secretary (Admin.) Khursheed Zaidi, Additional Secretary (Development) Moazzam Usman, Punjab Health Director General Dr Muhammad Aslam Chaudhry, Deputy Secretary Saleha Saeed, Health EDO Dera Ghazi Khan and Medical Superintendents of DHQs and THQs hospitals were also present in the meeting.

The meeting was informed that the construction of a paramedical school building in DG Khan was in final stages and Rs15 million had been spent for the purpose so far. The health secretary ordered that classes should be started in the paramedical school from September this year. The meeting reviewed the matters pertaining to Taunsa Sharif THQ hospital upgrade, setting up a trauma centre at DG Khan DHQ hospital, provision of missing facilities in Rural Health Centres, construction of General Nursing and Midwifery School, supply of Sui gas to Taunsa THQ hospital, conversion of Kala basic health unit (BHU) into rural health centre at the cost of Rs18.5 million, routine immunisation of mother and child and anti-polio drive coverage.

It was informed that the construction of a general nursing and midwifery school in DG Khan would be complete by September 2011 while Rs15 million had been spent on the provision of missing facilities in rural health centres.

The meeting was informed that Rs190 million had been spent on the construction of trauma centre at DG Khan DHQ hospital where modern diagnostic facilities would be available. The recruitment of staff for the centre has been started.

The secretary ordered that anti-mosquito spray and fogging should be started in all districts in view of rainy season and to preempt dengue and malaria epidemics.