MULTAN, Oct The 2: Multan district Nazim Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has expressed surprise over the non-allocation of funds for the health sector in the area under the annual development programme.

He was presiding over a meeting of health department officers of the district here on Tuesday.

He directed the executive district officer (Health) to write a letter to the provincial government for the release of funds for the improvement of health facilities in the district. He also announced that the provincial government would be approached for the establishment of tehsil headquarter hospitals in Shujabad and Jalalpur Pirwala tehsils of the district.

He disclosed that World Health Organization and Punjab Rural Cooperation programme were launching a project jointly to provide modern health facilities to the residents of 10 union councils of the district.

He further directed early purchase of medicines to ensure supply of such medicines to all the health centres of the district which were necessary for the eradication of diseases. He stressed a transparent procurement process so that no one could raise finger at the district government.

He expressed concern that there was no effective law to curb the menace of quackery and said he would write a letter to Punjab governor for the enactment of laws to get rid of the inhuman business.

He said a new transfer policy would soon be envisaged that would reflect the will of people and need of the area. He directed the EDO to prepare a priority list of such health department buildings which needed repair so that the allocated funds of Rs 2m could be utilized judiciously.