World Health Day: Punjab Police completes health screening of 225,000 personnel

• IG Police vows top medical care under ‘ealthy Punjab’ vision, saying Rs51.7m spent on treatment of serious illnesses this year

 LAHORE: On the occasion of World Health Day, Punjab Inspector General of Police Abdul Kareem said that under the “Healthy Punjab” vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, provision of the best medical facilities to police personnel and their families remains a top priority.

He said a healthy police force was essential for effectively protecting the country and combating criminals and anti-state elements, adding that Punjab Police is the only provincial department where health screening of as many as 225,000 officers and personnel has been completed so far.

The IG said agreements had been signed with leading hospitals across the country to provide free and subsidised medical treatment to police employees and their families. This year alone, over Rs51.7 million has been spent on treatment of personnel and their family members suffering from serious illnesses, while more than Rs26.7 million has been allocated for children with mental and physical disabilities.

Highlighting welfare initiatives, he said that under the “Hamaray Phool” project, free cochlear implant surgeries for 44 hearing-impaired children had been carried out at a cost exceeding Rs78.3 million. In addition, children affected by thalassemia are being provided Rs30,000 per month, while those suffering from cerebral palsy are receiving Rs20,000 per month each.

He further said that funds worth millions of rupees were being provided for treatment of personnel injured in the line of duty, while state-of-the-art treatment facilities had been ensured at Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) for patients suffering from kidney and liver diseases. Police personnel and their families affected by cancer are also receiving treatment at modern cancer care hospitals.

The IG added that vaccination against Hepatitis B and treatment of Hepatitis C among police personnel was ongoing, while effective measures had been taken for psychological profiling and mental health rehabilitation.

He said families of martyred police personnel were being provided free treatment at both government and private hospitals, while police service counters established at hospitals were facilitating the public through services including issuance of medico-legal certificates.

Reaffirming his commitment, Abdul Kareem said that in line with the vision of the chief minister, the mission to provide the best possible healthcare facilities to police personnel and their families would continue with greater effectiveness.