New reforms introduced to improve Balochistan's health sector

QUETTA: Provincial Secretary for the Health Department, Muddassir Waheed Malik, said Wednesday that new reforms have been introduced in the health sector to bring about changes in government-run hospitals of Balochistan.

The changes are being made according to the chief minister’s vision, and are aimed at providing better facilities to the masses, the official said.

While talking to media, Malik said that strict action would be taken against absent doctors and other staff members if hospitals do not perform adequately, which will encourage doctors and staff to perform honestly and responsibly.

Malik added that funds for the health sector have also been increased in the financial budget 2019-20 under the directives of Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Jam Kamal Khan to address hospitals' problems.

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The chief minister has directed that the latest equipment be provided to respective hospitals to ensure quality of treatment, he said.

He said that the provincial government is also utilising all available resources to improve the public's confidence in government-run hospitals, saying that it was a "top priority" of the government to resolve problems of health department employees, including doctors, because the health staff is directly responsible for improving services in hospitals.

He added that a health team was being formed to address the current shortage of doctors and availability of medicines to facilitate people in the rural areas of the province.

He also urged doctors to play a more responsible role for the betterment of needy patients.