Daily Times

LAHORE: After failing to manage the costly-procured mobile health units (MHUs), the Punjab government has decided to outsource these health facilities to private firms with an aim to improve health delivery system in underdeveloped areas of the province.

The Punjab government would outsource six MHUs, established on vehicles, to national and social sectors, non-government organisations, as well as local and private health providers. Applications have been called in this regard.

Process of handing over operational management of different components of district headquarter hospitals (DHQs) and tehsil headquarter hospital (THQs) in Punjab to private firms has been expedited by the Primary and Secondary Healthcare (P&SHC) Department.

Well-informed sources privy to this development told Daily Times that the P&SHC Department has invited bids from interested firms for outsourcing of these MHUs, adding that according to the proposed agreement, the government would transfer the annual budget of the ‘outsourced’ health facilities to the account of the qualified firm.

The government had established six MHUs in 2010 in southern districts of Punjab, including Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Mianwali, and Rajanpur, to provide treatment to patients at their doorsteps. The MHUs were equipped with facilities like X-ray, laboratory, ultrasound machine, ECG equipment, laboratory for common blood and urine tests, labour room, facility of vaccination for children, as well as a small operation theatre. Each unit was staffed with two doctors (male and female), lady health visitor dispenser, and laboratory technicians.

Each MHU was imported with a cost of Rs 50.5 million with an aim to target areas where outreach services were required and these six MHUs are providing diagnostic and treatment facilities to the people of underdeveloped districts.

Sources claimed that the P&SHC Department has denied the rumours this step was being taken due to the cost of MHU operations. Despite being aware of this fact the provincial government has allocated Rs 1 billion for fiscal year 2016-17 for the procurement of new MHUs, raising questions marks over this intellectual idea.

Selected firms shall be responsible for operational management, repair and maintenance of MHU vehicles and all related equipment, official said, adding that firms would also hire its own staff including doctors, nurses and paramedics for routine check up and provision of medicines based on diagnostic tests. Selected firms shall be bound to ensure conducting rounds in each district as per schedule provided by the department recording and reporting details coverage and patients.

On the other hand, Punjab intends to setup mobile diagnostic facilities including ultrasound, pathological, ECG and allied facilities in a vehicle visiting existing health facilities such as basic health units on rotation basis. Selected firms shall be responsible for procurement of mobile diagnostic facilities, units vehicles required fabrication and air conditioning.

Firms would be responsible for hiring of staff of mobile diagnostic units and all related equipment, besides making regular rounds in each district as per schedule.