Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s Clinic on Wheels initiative has achieved a major milestone, with more than 30 million patients reportedly benefiting from the service within a short period. The Punjab government has decided to transform 300 rural health centres into fully equipped hospitals and introduce a modern digital medical box in the province for the first time. The digital medical box will be equipped with facilities for ultrasound, blood sugar testing, complete blood count (CBC) and ECG. A camera can also be connected to the device to facilitate teleconferencing with medical professionals.

The government will also introduce a smart ultrasound device that can be connected to a mobile phone. As part of efforts to improve hospital performance, a ‘Hospital of the Month’ award will be given to hospitals demonstrating outstanding performance across the province. Meanwhile, medical superintendents of four hospitals have been ordered to be replaced immediately over alleged negligence in the discharge of their duties. More than 40,000 doctors and healthcare workers have been recruited for hospitals across Punjab, including doctors, women medical officers and consultants.

In addition, 7,572 Lady Health Visitors (LHVs) and 5,048 support staff have been deployed. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has also directed the establishment of a pool of doctors to respond to emergencies. She ordered that a new CT scan machine be provided to every district and directed the establishment of telemedicine centres to provide consultations for seasonal and common illnesses.Under the telemedicine system, patients will be able to consult doctors through video calls. The centres will refer patients to the appropriate hospital and ward and arrange appointments with the relevant ward or laboratory.To ensure quality treatment, Clinic Quality Control Officers have been appointed across Punjab.

A Directorate of Monitoring has also been established for primary healthcare, enabling 24-hour digital monitoring of District Headquarters (DHQ) hospitals, field hospitals and Clinic on Wheels services. The chief minister further directed authorities to improve cleanliness and parking facilities at hospitals.According to the briefing, data on more than 119.8 million people has been compiled with the assistance of health inspectors. Thousands of patients suffering from diabetes, hepatitis and tuberculosis are also being provided medicines at their homes. The meeting also reached an agreement in principle on legislation to link private clinics with the Health Information Management System (HIMS).

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)