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PESHAWAR, Nov 27 (APP): Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Babar Salim Swati and Provincial Minister for Health Khaliq-ur-Rehman on Thursday co-chaired a follow-up meeting to review implementation of directives issued earlier regarding King Abdullah Teaching Hospital (KATH), Mansehra, and other District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospitals.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Health Shahid Ullah Khan, Director General Health Services Shahid Younus, Regional Director Health Services Hazara Division, CEO Sehat Card Plus KP, Director IMU KP, District Health Officer Mansehra, Medical Superintendent KATH, and other senior officials.
Participants were briefed on the progress made since the previous meeting, with satisfaction expressed over the resolution of major issues.
Officials stated that the Health Department had taken practical steps to address the highlighted concerns.
Health Minister Khaliq-ur-Rehman assured the Medical Superintendent that recruitment against all vacant posts is underway and the shortage of human resources will be resolved soon.
Terming KATH a key healthcare facility, he reaffirmed the department’s commitment to providing all essential resources.
The Minister directed the Medical Superintendent to ensure transparent performance and strict monitoring of hospital operations.
He stressed that the Health Department is supplying adequate medicines and funds, and no patient should be asked to purchase medicines from outside.
He instructed that the availability of all prescribed medicines within the hospital must be guaranteed.
To strengthen diagnostic services, the Minister said the department would provide sufficient staff and doctors to ensure round-the-clock radiology services.
Regarding the Sehat Card Plus Programme, the meeting was informed that the scheme is fully functional and patients are receiving treatment under it.
The Minister ordered the immediate operationalization of the MRI machine, stating that the equipment had already been provided and must be made functional without delay in the public interest.
He added that a large number of doctors are being hired on contract to overcome the shortage of medical staff.
The Medical Superintendent, he said, is the Health Department’s focal person in each district and responsible for reporting shortages, issues, and operational matters of the hospital.
The department, he noted, is actively working to improve healthcare delivery across the province.
Later, the Health Minister held a brief meeting with the Deputy Speaker of the KP Assembly to discuss health-sector challenges in Upper and Lower Chitral.
It was informed that funding and site issues for the Nursing College in Booni have been resolved, while shortages of hospitals and doctors in both districts will be addressed soon.
The Minister assured full support to strengthen healthcare facilities in the Deputy Speaker’s constituency.