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Lahore, April 19, 2016 (PPI-OT):Punjab is the biggest and most progressive province of Pakistan. CM under Road Map Initiative is personally monitoring day-to-day progress on Health. The initiatives on Primary Health Care and provision of Human Resource at Primary and Secondary Health Facilities are the top priorities of Punjab Government. Khawaja Salman Rafique, Adviser to CM on Health said this while talking to Dr. Hassan Mohtashami, UNFPA Representative Pakistan who paid a courtesy call to the adviser. DG health, ADGHS IRMNCH and Nutrition Program, Additional Director PSPU and Provincial Coordinator UNFPA Punjab were also present on the occasion.
During meeting Khawaja Salman Rafique explained the incentives mechanism devised by Department of health for deployment of Doctors and Specialist in Hard to reach districts and Tehsil headquarter Hospitals. He also told that Punjab Government has increased the age for induction Medical Officers at BHU to 60 years. This is in light of attracting more doctors to serve in rural areas.
Punjab is very extensively working on Community Midwifery component and the department is serious in taking this cadre and supporting this cadre to improve skilled attendant at birth. The department also requested UNFPA to support in improving quality of CMWs training. Adviser also appreciated the efforts of UFNPA in B.Sc Midwifery in Pakistan in collaboration with Agha Khan University.
He immediately established a task force comprising of representatives from PSPU, IRMNCH, DGHS office and UNFPA Provincial office to develop recommendations for initiation of B.Sc. Midwifery in Punjab for presentation to CM. Additional Director PSPU also appreciated the support of UNFPA in initiation of Neo-natal and Maternal Death Surveillance System in Punjab and hoped that this system would help a lot in bringing in timely systemic changes to address maternal and neonatal deaths.
The UNFPA representative appreciated the commitment of Government of Punjab committed to extend all possible support for meeting the needs of most vulnerable. He highlighted that Population explosion is one the biggest challenge for the present government. Improved contraceptives availability as ensured by Government of Punjab and set an example of allocating funds and carrying out procurement at right time need to be followed by delivery of Family Planning services as this is the most cost effective intervention to prevent maternal mortality.
He also appreciated the initiative of Government of Punjab for opening Anesthesia training for all doctors serving in Health Department. He said, this innovation would address shortage of shortfalls in provision of Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care in the province. The representative also appreciated the efforts of Department of health and PSPU in carrying out mapping exercise of Family Planning Service providers at union Council level through the Punjab.
At the end of meeting Adviser to CM on Health extended profuse thanks for ever continued support of UNFPA to Government of Punjab. He also apprised the visitor of the seriousness of CM for better health of people of Punjab who allocated 60 billion Rupees for Kidney and Liver Transplant facility being established in Punjab.
For more information, contact:
Rafiullah Usman
Directorate General Public Relations
Government of the Punjab
Lahore.
Tel: +92-42-9201390-86
Website: www.punjab.gov.pk