Punjab Announces Hospital of the Month Award

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has introduced a monthly "Hospital of the Month" award to recognize hospitals demonstrating exceptional performance in the province. So far, the government has recruited 2,524 doctors, 2,482 women medical officers, 408 consultants and 32 cardiologists. The Punjab administration has also deployed 7,572 lady health visitors and 5,048 support staff to hospitals throughout Punjab.

During a video-link meeting chaired by the chief minister, it was decided to convert 300 Maryam Nawaz Hospitals, previously rural health centers, into modern hospitals. Additionally, 911 Clinics on Wheels have provided medical care to 30 million patients over a short period. The meeting approved the use of digital medical boxes for the first time in Punjab, which will support various tests through a single system.

The boxes will also allow for teleconferencing and the introduction of a smart ultrasound device connected to a mobile phone. The chief minister ordered the hiring of 40,000 doctors and allied health professionals, as well as the installation of a new CT scan machine in every district. Telemedicine centers for common and seasonal diseases will be established, enabling patients to consult doctors via video calls and be referred to the appropriate hospital if needed.

Poor-performing hospitals will have their medical superintendents replaced immediately, and a pool of doctors and medical officers will be formed to handle emergencies. Improvements in cleanliness and parking facilities will be made at district and tehsil headquarters hospitals. For the first time, Clinic Quality Control Officers will be appointed to assess the quality of treatment provided to patients.

A Directorate of Monitoring and Surveillance has been set up for 24-hour digital monitoring of all hospitals in Punjab. Community Health Monitoring Health Inspectors have completed registration and data collection for over 119.8 million people. Medicines were delivered to patients with diabetes, hepatitis, and tuberculosis. A legislative proposal will link private clinics with the Health Information Management System.

The meeting was informed that Provincial Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare and Population Nadia Saqib provided a detailed briefing during the discussion.