‘Rs80b Drug Spend’: CM Maryam orders overhaul of hospitals medicines supply system

• Punjab CM orders revised medicines list for govt hospitals, approves body cameras for hospital staff
• Orders a ban on mobile phone use by doctors and nurses during duty hours
• Approves establishment of data analysis centre, MS pool to boost hospital performance

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday directed the preparation of a revised medicines list for government hospitals and ordered the establishment of a foolproof mechanism to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential drugs across the province.

Presiding over a meeting on ongoing health projects, the chief minister instructed the formation of a dedicated committee to finalise the updated medicines list. Expressing serious concern over reports of medicine shortages despite substantial allocations, she noted that Rs80 billion was being spent on medicines and stressed that any lapse in providing drugs to patients was “unacceptable.”

The meeting reviewed proposals aimed at modernising public sector hospitals, including the possible induction of Chinese-manufactured medical equipment to upgrade healthcare facilities throughout Punjab.

Taking strict notice of public complaints regarding the conduct of hospital security staff, CM Maryam Nawaz approved, in principle, the installation of body cameras for security guards, ward boys, nurses, and pharmacy staff. She also directed hospital administrations to ensure complete daily steam cleaning of facilities by 9:00 a.m.

Emphasising patient care as the top priority, the chief minister ordered a ban on mobile phone use by doctors and nurses during duty hours.

To improve hospital governance, the meeting approved the creation of a Medical Superintendent (MS) pool, with salary increments to be linked directly to performance. In addition, community health inspectors were assigned the task of conducting regular hospital surveys to monitor service delivery standards.

The chief minister further directed the establishment of a data analysis centre to assess the impact and effectiveness of public welfare initiatives in the health sector.

During the briefing, it was highlighted that over 2,500 doctors had been recruited over the past two years. It was also informed that 585,000 patients across the province had been registered for home delivery of cardiac medicines, while 6,000 hepatitis and tuberculosis patients had already received medicines at their doorsteps.