LAHORE, Dec 9: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has directed health authorities to introduce a comprehensive health insurance scheme for government employees.

Presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s secretariat here on Monday, he sought a detailed report on the scheme within a week. The meeting was also attended by chief secretary Hafeez Akhtar Randhawa and secretaries of health and finance.

The chief minister also directed that all legal hurdles in extending medical treatment to those injured in accidents or domestic clashes be removed without any delay. Presently, these cases are handled by medico-legal surgeons.

Briefing the chief minister about the performance of autonomous hospitals, the health secretary said free medicines were being provided to patients in emergency wards, while the philanthropists were donating for the provision of medicines in general wards.

The CM warned that besides conducting surprise raids, he would also send his men in the guise of patients to monitor the performance of various health institutions.