Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Launches Paperless Digital Health Reforms Across Province
Punjab’s public healthcare system is going fully digital. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced a major shift to a paperless regime. The reforms aim to use technology to improve patient care and governance.
She spoke at a conference of hospital CEOs and Medical Superintendents in Lahore. The chief minister administered an integrity and zero-corruption pledge to senior officials. She stressed that technology-driven governance is the key to better healthcare.
District and tehsil headquarters hospitals have already transitioned. Health facilitation services are now being fully digitalized across the province.
Accountability and Performance Monitoring
New systems will track hospital and doctor performance. The government has introduced Key Performance Indicators for hospital leadership. A new Performance Evaluation Report system will monitor doctors’ work.
Monitoring and Evaluation Assistants will be appointed in each facility. Dedicated administrators and procurement officers will streamline operations. Emergency wards are now connected to Safe City surveillance cameras.
Strict rules now limit doctors’ mobile phone use during duty hours. These measures aim to increase focus and accountability in patient care.
Record Budget and Staffing Increases
The provincial health budget has seen a massive jump. It rose sharply from Rs. 399 billion to Rs. 630 billion. This represents a significant commitment to public health.
Over 1,500 new doctors have been inducted into public hospitals. The government also cleared Rs. 22 billion in outstanding dues. This ensures an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines.
Hospital administrations received clear directives. They must ensure medicine availability and functional medical equipment. Cleanliness and efficient patient flow are also priorities. Color-coded triage bays will help manage emergency cases.
Pharmaceutical representatives are now banned from hospitals. Vigilance teams will monitor healthcare facilities across Punjab. These teams ensure compliance with the new standards.
A Vision for Accessible Healthcare
Maryam Nawaz stated her vision clearly. No resident of Punjab should travel to another city for treatment. Public hospitals primarily serve poor and vulnerable citizens. She called patient care a sacred responsibility.
Hospital CEOs and MSs play a critical role. They are more important than ministers in turning policies into real outcomes. Their leadership directly impacts patient lives.
10,000+ Free Heart Surgeries Completed
The chief minister also celebrated a major milestone. Over 10,000 children have received free heart surgeries. This happened under the Chief Minister Children Heart Surgery Programme.
Beneficiaries came from across Pakistan. Children from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Sindh were treated. The program transcended provincial boundaries.
She inaugurated a new ICU at Children’s Hospital Lahore. She met young patients and their families personally. Officials confirmed over 10,300 surgeries completed so far. The number of cardiac surgeons and physicians has also increased to meet demand.
