Handout No.2 Peshawar 20th November 2014 KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has said that provincial govt has introducing new health reform policy where in all the hospitals and health centers would be made autonomous and empowered in all respects with the only condition of ensuring treatment and health care facilities to the patients round the clock. Similarly he said state of the art treatment facilities would be made available at all divisional and district hospitals that were being provided at Lady Reading Hospital so that the patients of far flung areas did not need to travel to Peshawar while the medical and administration departments would be totally separated in the hospitals. He regretted that wrong policies of the past corrupt regimes rendered all the institutions unable to deliver to the masses that were otherwise running with cost of billions of rupees of the hard earned money of the people. However he vowed that the PTI-led coalition govt would never allow such a mess and would change the system everywhere. He said that it was not good but the govt was compelled to start monitoring system in the hospitals too like that in the schools to ensure the presence of punctuality of doctors ad paramedical staff and provision of Medicare facilities in the hospitals. He said that it is strange that there were quality public sector hospitals everywhere in the province and millions of rupees were being monthly spent on them but all the pressure of treatment came to three big hospitals of Peshawar while 5 million patients in other parts of the province return home with disappointment by finding no relief in local health centers. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 2nd phase of free treatment program of poor cancer patients with join collaboration of provincial govt and pharmaceutical company NOVARTIS in Peshawar. The ceremony was also addressed by provincial secretary health Mushtaq Jadoon, Chief Executive Novartis Shahab Rizvi, head of oncology department Prof. Abid Jameel and Chief executive Hayatabad Medical Complex Mumtaz Marwat who highlighted various aspects of the program and steps of the govt for health facilities as well as asked for public awareness about cancer. Under the program provincial govt would provide Rs.600 million this year while the expenditures of major chunk of 94% treatment would be borne by NOVARTIS. Pervez Khattak said that provincial govt would expand the health welfare programs for poor patients in various sectors including cancer. He revealed that health insurance policy was being introduced for free and permanent treatment facilities of the people. He said that drastic changes were being brought about to improve health and treatment facilities in the province. He said that his govt would never make decisions under political pressure but would make all decisions and formulate policies under the pressure of people who pinned great expectations with this govt. He showed great concern that patients in the prime of their lives are affected by the blood cancer. He said in our province alone 250 new patients are diagnosed each year that is alarming. He said even more worrying is the fact that best possible treatment for this cancer is very expensive and out of reach of the most patients. He said losing young people at the prime of their lives has a negative impact on the national economy and no govt can afford to lose such a young population. He said there should be no doubt that efficient Health care has been a top priority of our govt and cancer treatment is no exception. He however was pleased with the fact that the first phase of the project has achieved all its goals. He said the Monitoring and Evaluation Cell of Government of KP has declared it an effective and transparent project. In fact, he said, transparency and good governance is a top priority for his govt. “After realizing that over 800 patients have successfully been treated in this project, our govt has shown its willingness to continue this project so that more lives can be saved and these people can contribute to their family income and national economy”, he added. Pervez Khattak said that his govt has included a second medicine for those who cannot tolerate the previous drug-a fact showing how seriously our govt takes health of our people. He assured we will leave no stone unturned to encourage such projects and will continue to fund projects like this one. He said the fact that 93% of patients are alive at over three years shows that this is money well spent. By witnessing cancer patients in this inauguration ceremony who have survived many years and are now following their daily routine activities. I am really impressed with the dedication of Oncology team of Hayatabad Medical Complex. I hope they will continue to work with dedication to bring smiles to the faces of cancer patients and help them live long and healthy lives. He said this project is the finest example of a public private partnership and a role model for others to follow. This partnership has not only lessened the financial burden of the patients and govt but has also resulted in saving of over 1000 lives. I would like thank Novartis Pharma for helping our govt in saving so many lives and sharing 94% of expenses on this treatment. This is also one of the best examples of corporate social responsibility. Chief Minister announced Establishment of diagnostic facilities for cancer diagnosis at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar to include all the necessary equipments, Establishment of Hospice at Hayatabad that will have Medical Oncology Wards, OPDs, Pharmacy, Laboratory and Hospice facilities under one roof. He said the Health department in consultation with Oncology Department HMC, P&D and C&W department should submit a proposal for this as soon as possible so that work can be started at the earliest.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 05:10:46 +0000
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