Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting here today which decided to expand the scope of ongoing collaboration between Punjab government and an international pharmaceutical company NOVARTIS for the treatment of cancer patients. Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif said that there is a strong and effective collaboration between Punjab government and NOVARTIS for the treatment and provision of free medicines to cancer patients and the expansion of this programme by NOVARTIS will be welcomed. He said that only patients and their families could realize the pain and agony of a cancer patient, therefore, there is a need to promote cooperation between Punjab government and NOVARTIS for the provision of medicines and treatment facilities to the cancer patients. The Chief Minister said that the One Dollar programme of NOVARTIS for non-communicable diseases is appreciable and a number of patients are benefiting from this programme. The Chief Minister directed Secretary Health to review One Dollar Programme of NOVARTIS and present final recommendations besides speedy measures be taken for promotion of cooperation towards One Dollar Programme of NOVARTIS. Shehbaz Sharif said that improvement of healthcare system is his mission and all possible measures are being taken for this purpose. NOVARTIS officials gave a briefing on One Dollar Programme and its future strategy and said that 15 medicines are being provided free of cost to patients under One Dollar programme. Country head of NOVARTIS Shahab Rizvi commended the steps taken by Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the improvement of healthcare system. Advisor on Health Kh. Salman Rafique, Dr. Ramesh Kumar MNA, Parliamentary Secretary on Health Kh. Imran Nazir, Country Head of NOVARTIS Shahab Rizvi, secretaries of concerned departments and senior officials attended the meeting.
