Daily Times

LAHORE: In order to maintain the standard of cleanliness and to strengthen the security of state-run district headquarter hospital (DHQs) and tehsil headquarter hospital (THQs), the Primary and Secondary Healthcare (P&SHC) Department has decided to outsource janitorial and security services to private contractors, putting the future of hundreds of employees at stake, as they fear of getting fired from their jobs.

Well-placed sources in the P&SHC Department, on the condition of anonymity, told Daily Times that the provincial government has been handing over different components of secondary healthcare facilities, including janitorial, security, electrical, horticulture and plumbing departments, to private firms.

They said outsourcing of these services showed the failure of hospital’s administration in providing quality services to the masses. This move of the government would put extra financial burden on the public exchequers, as hundreds of employees were performing these duties in hospitals, he added.

Sources said the P&SHC Department was undertaking wide-ranging reforms to improve the healthcare service delivery in Punjab and identified 25 DHQs in Kasur, Mianwali, Jhelum, Sheikhpura, Rajanpur, Khaniwal, Toba Tek Singh, Pakpatan, Chiniot, Muzaffargarh, Attock, Nankana Sahib, Chakwal Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Khushab, Vehari, Narowal, Layyah, Lodhran, Mandi Bahauddin, Okara and Jhang for these services.

Likewise, they added, all services would be outsourced at THQs of Hazro, Chishtian, Ahmedpur East, Taunsa Sharif, Kamoke, Main Channu, Noorpur Thal, Esa Khel, Shuja Abad, Kot Addu, Arif Wala, Chichawwatni, Daska, Gojra and Burewala.

According to the plan, national/local firms, companies or joint ventures of firms would be responsible for providing 24/7 cleaning services, besides ensuring sufficient placement of a trained supervisors, sanitary workers and sweepers at the facility, besides cleaning of drainage and sewage pipes as well as manholes.

The P&SHC Department would also handover the horticulture department of hospitals to private firms, which would be responsible for landscaping of specified undeveloped areas, cleaning of garbage, solid waste or stagnant water from undeveloped open areas. The firm would ensure planting shady tree saplings on corners, regular marking watering, pruning, weeding and mowing of trees and lawns, maintaining flower belts outside hospitals boundary wall, replacing dead and damaged plants, cleaning of lawns on daily basis and installing benches, gazebos and trash cans.

Moreover, electrical department of hospitals would be handed over to private contractors as well. The firms would ensure 24/7 functionality of generators, UPS, ACs, refrigerators and water coolers at optimal level. They would also be responsible for provision of fuel for generators, provision of staff for operation generators and UPS, besides repairing and maintenance of these appliances. They would also be required to supervise minor electric wiring and repair works, including boards and switches, safety wiring, repair and replacement of hardware items including door knobs, hinges locks, fans and bulbs and repair and maintenance of taps, pipes and other plumbing items to ensure zero leakage.

The government is handing over janitorial, security services and parking facilities to private firm. These firms would be responsible for providing armed and unarmed security guards to ensure security/safety of patients, hospital infrastructure and property. Private firms would also responsible for development, maintenance and operation of parking areas in hospitals and collection of fixed parking fee besides maintaining log of all irregular activities and implementing disaster plans in case of emergencies.