Re: Shahbaz Sharif on the Move
Shahbaz wants better treatment of liver diseases
Friday, January 16, 2009
By Our Correspondent
LAHORE
PUNJAB Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has instructed health authorities to set up Liver Diseases Management Cell for treatment of liver disease and establishment of Liver Transplant Centre in the province.
The CM was addressing a meeting to review establishment of Liver Transplant Centre today (Thursday).
The cell will review matters such as launching a liver diseases awareness campaign, provision of diagnostic facilities in hospitals and formulate recommendations. He directed the cell to submit its recommendations and strategy as soon as possible so that provision of modern treatment facilities could be ensured to the patients at the earliest.
The CM said the Punjab government was taking measures for provision of modern medical facilities to masses especially treatment of fatal diseases. He said free dialysis services have been made available at all district headquarters hospitals as well as some Tehsil hospitals while CT scan and MRI machines were being provided at divisional and district headquarters hospitals.
He said that effective measures were also being taken to root out nefarious trade of spurious drugs and three task forces have been formed for this purpose. He said that a comprehensive system has been adopted for provision of free medicines to patients in all hospitals. He said that an effective strategy was also being adopted for the treatment of liver diseases and liver transplant centre and a special committee had also been constituted for this purpose.
He issued instruction to constitute Liver Diseases Management Cell headed by MNA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to formulate recommendations for setting up Liver Transplant Center as well as treatment of liver diseases.
Specialists will also be included in the Cell. He said the cell will adopt a transparent system for selection of doctors for the treatment of liver diseases and liver transplant who will be sent abroad for training on government expenditure. He said it would be ensured that these doctors after completing their training in Europe, China and other countries should return to their country for treatment of liver patients. He said the cell will also undertake planning for prevention of liver disease in children and adults. The CM directed Liver Diseases Management Cell to evolve their recommendations with commitment and dedication for the establishment of Liver Transplant Centre and prevention of liver diseases. He said effective planning should also be made for treatment of children. He said that after setting up liver transplant centre and checking of liver disease, we will be able to prove that there is no dearth of talent in our country and we can also treat fatal diseases.
Earlier, the health secretary gave a detailed briefing on the Liver Transplant Centre and informed that the percentage of patients of liver and related diseases was 11 per cent in the province. He also pointed out the causes of liver diseases and submitted proposals for their treatment.
The participants in the meeting also submitted proposals for prevention of liver diseases and setting up of Liver Transplant Center.
MNA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Health Secretary Anwaar Ahmed Khan, Dr Huma Cheema, Dr Naeem-ud-Din Mian, Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi, Dr Khalid Javed Khan, Dr Amir Aziz, Dr Altaf Aslam and Project Director Abdullah Sunbal were also present in the meeting.
Shahbaz wants better treatment of liver diseases
