ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for Health, Dr. Nadeem Jan said on Tuesday that the government has planned to strengthen primary and secondary level health facilities and introduce a project to provide ‘uniform health services packages for citizens’ where over 500 countrywide primary health centres (PHC) hospitals’ upgradation has commenced.
In an interview with a private news channel, he said that the refurbished emergency room, intensive care units and other state-of-the-art health facilities for patients in various hospitals will be inaugurated in January 2024.
The primary objective of enhancing these community centres is to ensure that the public has easy access to basic healthcare services. Dr. Nadeem Jan emphasized that community awareness campaigns to encourage patients to access quality services will also be a crucial part of this project.
He further mentioned the government’s efforts to introduce a universal health insurance scheme, following consultations with the provinces. The current administration is committed to enhancing the quality of public healthcare services by incorporating the latest technologies, which will ultimately restore public confidence in the healthcare system. Strengthening Universal Health Coverage remains a top priority.
In response to a question, the minister highlighted that the upgrade of the primary healthcare system will bolster its capabilities and help alleviate the burden on major hospitals.
Regarding the outbreak of the Congo Virus in Balochistan, Dr. Nadeem Jan assured that the government is swiftly implementing preventive measures. Serious patients are being transported to Karachi via Air Ambulances, while patients with mild symptoms are being transferred by road. Strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be enforced at all levels to control the spread of the virus. The health department’s monitoring mechanism is being reinforced to continuously assess the situation, not only in Balochistan but across other provinces.
Dr. Nadeem Jan stressed the importance of raising public awareness about maintaining clean surroundings, especially among individuals engaged in the buying and selling of livestock. He urged the public to take precautionary measures to combat the virus and promptly seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as high fever, severe body pain, or other signs associated with the Congo virus.
Dr. Nadeem Jan recommended that nursing staff and doctors should wear disposable gloves, protective goggles, caps, shoe covers, and gowns, with handwashing facilities and sanitizer available in the anteroom. In cases where Congo Virus symptoms are observed, patients should receive emergency medical guidance. —APP
