Private Sector to Run Rural Health Centres in Punjab

The Punjab government has decided in principle to outsource rural health centers (RHCs) across the province, according to a report by 24NewsHD TV channel.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a meeting in Lahore on Thursday, where she received a briefing on the health sector and approved key reforms to improve healthcare services.

Officials informed the meeting that the number of patients at health centers managed by young doctors has tripled. Additionally, the revamping of 225 RHCs has been completed, transforming them into modern clinics.

Key decisions made during the meeting include:

• Designating health centers as primary referral units for patients.
• Equipping RHCs with medical and diagnostic facilities comparable to major hospitals.
• Providing general surgery, gynecology, diagnostics, and medical testing services.
• Ensuring that the new clinics operate 24/7 after outsourcing.

CM Maryam Nawaz also issued directives for infrastructure improvements, including:

• Expanding and upgrading access roads to Sambli General Hospital in Murree.
• Make the OPD at Nawaz Sharif Institute of Sargodha operational by June.
• Activating Jinnah Hospital PIC-II by September 30.
• Completing the setup of Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital within the given timeframe.
• Accelerating the nomination process for the Board of Governors and other administrative matters.

The meeting also reviewed proposals to establish:

• A Medical City at the divisional level to provide treatment for all diseases.
• A Mega Medical City around Lahore Ring Road.
• Burn units, cardiac centers, and children’s wards at the district level.

Further updates shared during the meeting:

• Out of Punjab’s 1,147 health centers, 766 have been revamped, and 396 have been handed over to the health department.
• Over Rs. 6.7 billion worth of free medicines have been provided in OPDs across the province.
• 12,671 applications have been received for the Maryam Nawaz Community Health Inspector Program, aimed at collecting household survey data, disease statistics, and other health details.
• 2,230 applications have been received under the Maryam Nawaz Health Clinic Program via the Health Manager Portal.
• Under the CM Special Initiative Transplant Program, five renal transplants and one liver transplant have been completed.
• 6,900 children have been registered under the CM Children’s Heart Surgery Program, with 2,625 surgeries already performed.
• Over 8,000 dialysis procedures have been completed under the CM Dialysis Program, with 7,630 additional patients registered.
• The Clinic on Wheels initiative has benefited 7.2 million patients across Punjab.

CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized her goal of achieving 100% improvement in government hospitals across Punjab. She expressed concern over poor sanitation in hospitals, calling it an urgent issue that needs immediate attention.

She stressed that residents of remote and underprivileged areas must have access to advanced medical facilities. To achieve this, hospitals across Punjab are being equipped with the latest medical technology in a phased manner.

Additionally, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of addressing the shortage of doctors and medical staff, stating that sustainable measures are being implemented to resolve this issue.