The Punjab government, General Electric Healthcare and Ferozsons Laboratories have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), here today. According to the agreement, a training centre will be established at the District Headquarters Hospital Sheikhupura to give training to the Lady Health Workers (LHWs) about the conduction of ultrasound. The Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was the chief guest of the ceremony which held at Model Town. Secretary Primary Healthcare Ali Jan Khan signed on behalf of the Punjab government, while Mr. Rob Walton, the Global General Manager signed the agreement on behalf of the General Electric Healthcare.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed the agreement signed between the Punjab government, General Electric Healthcare and Ferozsons Laboratories as a welcome step. Under this agreement, a training centre will be set up in DHQ Hospital Sheikhupura to provide training to Lady Health Workers for conducting the ultrasound and this training process will continue with regularity. It is the cheapest mechanism being introduced for the first time and the portable ultrasound machines are being imported. 60 machines have been arranged, while 700 more machines are in the pipeline. These machines will not be operated by any experts but the Lady Health Workers, who have completed the necessary training, will run these machines. Due to it, the women patients, living in far-flung areas, will have a great facility at their doorsteps. He said that portable ultrasound machines are being procured through a transparent bidding process from different international companies and the provision of 700 machines will be started in February 2018. During this period, the training process of Lady Health Workers will be completed. He said that it is a commendable step of the Punjab government which will help to rerun the BHUs and RHCs, and women will be the prime beneficiary. These portable ultrasound machines will be directly interlinked with relevant BHUs and RHCs where trained LHWs will operate these machines. He said that bringing improvements in primary healthcare is our objective, and it is a big challenge as well which we will win. He said that Punjab government has started motorbikes ambulance service and told that first-aid has been provided in more than 50 cases in different areas in Lahore city, today. The Punjab government has started a wonderful service to provide first-aid to the affected people of the accidents and in the next around two months, this project will be spread in nine divisions and later on, it will be extended to all the 36 districts of the province. He said that he welcomes the today’s tripartite agreement and added that the businessmen usually strive to earn profits but it is a standard principle that business-offices also perform welfare-related activities to benefit the masses. It is their right to earn profits as well as a responsibility to serve the ailing humanity. Today’s agreement is a step towards it. I am also thankful to the media for its projection of good deeds to sensitize the people to take full benefit of such initiatives.
