Punjab government will expedite the crackdown on quackery and spurious drugs and necessary measures were announced in the Executive District Officers (H) meeting in the Directorate general Health Services here on Friday.
The meeting was chaired by Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique with Secretary Health Jawwad Rafique Malik and Director General Health Services Punjab Dr. Zahid Pervaiz in attendance. The EDOs (H) of Punjab’s 36 districts, Chief Minister Roadmap team, Punjab Information Technology Board, Policy and Strategic Planning Unit, Program Managers, UNICEF, WHO and international development partners attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister Roadmap team shared that routine immunization coverage in Punjab surged to 70 per cent with the introduction of android-based performance monitoring from mid 50s within just one year. The latest application, named as E-vaccs-2, after a successful pilot in three districts, will be extended to the whole province in two months. Through this application the immunization coverage of every child with unique ID, immunization history, guardian’s phone number and photographs are maintained by the PITB. The DG Health directed the districts to complete the hiring of vaccinator on vacant slots as early as possible. He said no laxity will be allowed in polio eradication efforts and said that districts with most number of zero dose children will be held accountable. Multan was directed to ensure special vigilance in polio campaign in September given the recent positive environmental sample.
Punjab Healthcare Commission’s CEO Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Khan said “curbing quackery was one of main objectives of the Commission”. He asked the EDOs (H) to charge the violators with PHC Act. He urged the EDOs to extend all out cooperation to PHC enumerators. He also said that the EDOs (H) must visit their respective DHQs and personally supervise the cleanliness and functionality of key facilities especially the emergencies.
The Secretary Health announced that divisional level task forces headed by Commissioners will lead the drive against spurious drugs. He directed EDO(H) to ensure compliance from drug inspectors and said in case of laxity, punitive action will be taken against drug inspectors. He further added that EDOs (H) will be held accountable as well in case of repeated complaints.
The Advisor to Chief Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said that districts continuously appearing red on key performance indicators will face action and improvement must be visible before December stock-taking. He said that in case of any issues, the matter be brought to his knowledge as he would discuss it with the Chief Secretary in order to ensure improvement in KPIs.
The Chief Minister Roadmap team shared that districts may be given budget as per their demand and allocation. The CM Roadmap team also shared their data analysis on THQ/DHQ Reforms Program, safe deliveries, hospital watch and E-vaccs coverage.