LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif Monday presided over a meeting to review progress on health sector reforms programme. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that every possible step was being made to provide quality healthcare to the people. He said that the Punjab government had provided resources to the tune of billions of rupees for improvements in healthcare facilities. He said that all-out efforts were being made to achieve the targets of ongoing health reforms programme. “An effective strategy should be developed to achieve desired targets in the districts, which are lagging behind,” he said, adding positive results had been achieved due to bifurcation of health sector in two parts.” Recounting some of the achievements made in the health sector, the chief minister said latest ultrasound machines had been provided to 60 basic health units (BHUs). He said that vaccination coverage had been expanded but efforts should be accelerated to further expand it. He added that 100 filter clinics had been established to control hepatitis in the province. “An organised awareness campaign should be launched to adopt precautionary measures to save people from hepatitis. On the other side, infection control programme is being implemented in an effective manner in hospitals. In this regard, incinerators are also being set up to dispose of the solid waste of hospitals,” he added. The chief minister directed officials concerned that lady health workers should be imparted training to keep them abreast of modern needs and requirements and those showing good performance should be encouraged. “Similarly, nutrition of mother and child should be given particular importance and an organised awareness campaign should be launched.” He said that special TB centres would be established in public sector hospitals under TB Control Programme to provide 100 percent free healthcare facilities. The chief minister said that every step of the Punjab government was aimed at benefiting the ailing humanity and added that people serving the patients were crown of his head. “I shall fully encourage such ministers, officers and officials,” he added. The chief minister commended the performance of Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Khawaja Imran Nazir, Adviser Umar Saif, planning and development chairman, health secretary and other officials over their good performance in health sector reforms programme. Provincial Ministers Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Khawaja Imran Nazir, additional chief secretary, finance secretary, officials of the Punjab Healthcare Commission, UHS VC, medical experts and others attended the meeting. Separately, a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet members and advisors, headed by Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, called on the chief minister here on Monday. During the meeting, the chief minister announced a to give 25 buses for the promotion of tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan along with provision of financial aid worth Rs 1 million to the heirs of Dilawar Abbas, a GB student who was murdered in Punjab. These buses will be handed over to the Gilgit-Baltistan government after fulfilling of necessary requirements, he added. Published in Daily Times, February 20th 2018.