KP Govt initiates projects in health sector

PESHAWAR, Sep 19 (DNA): The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
was working on various projects worth billions of rupees in primary,
secondary and tertiary health care to further strengthen the health
sector and provide quality medical treatment facilities to the people at
their doorsteps.

Steps were being taken under an integrated plan to ensure physical
progress on those initiatives as per the given timelines so that their
timely completion could be ensured and people could benefit them without
any delay.

This was told in a meeting of Health Department held here the other day
with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan in the chair.

The meeting reviewed progress on various interventions and reforms
initiatives undertaken in health sector. Provincial Health Minister,
Timur Saleem Jhagra, Secretary Health Imtiaz Hussain Shah, Principal
Secretary to the Chief Minister Amjad Ali Khan, Director General Health
Services Dr Niaz Muhammad and other concerned officials of the Health
Department attended the meeting.

Briefing the meeting about the projects and initiatives launched to
improve the health service delivery in primary, secondary and tertiary
care health outlets across the province and to strengthen the primary
health care centers in the province, it was told that a mega scheme was
underway to strengthen all the Basic Health Units (BHUs) of the province
and to run 200 BHUs 24/7.

Similarly, a project is also underway for the rehabilitation of all
Rural Health Centers (RHCs) across the province and to run 50 RHCs 24/7.
It was informed that these initiatives aimed at improving primary health
care by good physical outlook, regular staff presence, availability of
essential medicines, critical equipment and diagnostic services in these
BHUs and RHCs.

It was further informed that in secondary healthcare sector, work was
underway on the revamping of 25 district headquarters hospitals of the
province adding that the project aimed at renovation of infrastructure
of these hospitals, posting of additional medical staff including
specialist doctors, availability of medical equipment, outsourcing of
diagnostic services and establishment of ICUs, Burn Units, Dialysis
Units, Physiotherapy and other allied units in the existing buildings of
those DHQ hospitals.

Similarly, work is underway on outsourcing of 12 District Headquarters
Hospitals in the backward districts of the province which will not only
provide better treatment facilities to the people of remote areas at the
local level but also provide employment opportunities to the people.

The meeting was informed that steps are being taken to strengthen
tertiary healthcare sector as well, adding that ten important projects
in this sector will be completed by June next year which include
Fountain House Peshawar, Bacha Khan Medical College Mardan Phase II,
Bannu Medical College Phase II, Institute of Nursing and Medical
Technology Peshawar, Blood Transfusion Project Phase II, Construction of
Orthopedic and Spine Surgery Block at Hayatabad Medical Complex and
other projects.

Regarding the up-gradation of various hospitals in the province, it was
informed that up-gradation of 13 health service delivery outlets in
various districts of the province was reflected in the Annual
Development Program 2020-21 in different which were being implemented as
per the stipulated time frame.

Speaking on this occasion, the Chief Minister said that the provincial
government was spending huge financial resources to further strengthen
the health sector of the province medical centers across the province
with the aim to enhance the capacity of public sector hospitals and
Improve health service delivery up to the needs and expectations of the
public.

Facilities could be made in line with public expectations and needs and
people adding that strengthening the hospitals in far flung districts
was the top priority area of his government so that quality and
improvement health care services could be ensured to the people of
remote areas at local level and thus they do not bother to go to big
cities for treatment facilities.

The Chief Minister said that a number of important projects were being
implemented in health sector to align the services of hospitals to the
requirements of modern age, adding that with the completion of these
projects, people of the province would see a radical change in the
health sector.

Stressing on the need for timely completion of ongoing projects and
reform measures in the health sector, the Chief Minister directed the
concerned authorities to take necessary steps to further expedite the
implementation of these projects.

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