All district health authorities were directed on Friday to complete drug procurement process according to plan. District health authorities chief executive officers can also purchase medicines from local means on limited scale from special heads in case of any emergency. These directions were extended during a meeting of all CEOs of health held via video link. The meeting which was chaired by General Health Services Director Dr Munir Ahmed was conducted on special directions from Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid. Additional Secretary (Technical) Dr Shehnaz and Additional Secretary Vertical Programme Dr Saadain were also present during the meeting. “Strictly follow PEPRA rules during procurement process and update portal on daily basis,” urged the General Health Services director. He also emphasised the need of transparency in procurement process and further directed that tendering of bids must be completed until December. While reviewing the recent polio and measles eradication drives, the director expressed his satisfaction on overall results prepared by third party however he warned CEOs of two districts for achieving target below 90 percent. “Cent percent coverage should be aim of all health officers and in future any negligence would not be tolerated,” he warned. Dr Munir Ahmed also noted that some CEOs did not participate in daily review meeting in their respective districts during recent anti polio drive. “Daily evening review meetings meant for self-accountability and avoiding such meetings might be resulted in poor performance,” he said. The director general also stressed upon health officers to implement all directions given by either health minister or adviser health during their time to time visits of district health facilities in letter and spirit. Published in Daily Times, November 17th 2018.