Not ending treatment of the deserving on health cards: CM Naqvi
Pakistan
Naqvi accords approval for upgradation, renovation and expansion of shrines
LAHORE (Dunya News) - Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi says the government is not going to end treatment on health card in the province and no deserving person will be denied treatment.
Naqvi visited the Akbar Chowk flyover project late at night and reviewed the progress of the work. The caretaker provincial ministers Aamir Mir and Azfar Ali Nasir were also with him. The chief minister expressed his satisfaction over the development work on the project.
Speaking to the media, CM Naqvi claimed that misuse of health card had been blocked. Heart operations had not been stopped at all. He said the government would have to pay 30 per cent to private hospitals for heart operations. Health cards were not being blocked and treatment of the poor would continue.
Talking about the crime rate, he said the crime rate had been brought down but the situation should be further improved.
In response to a question about accumulation of rainwater in Kalma Chowk underpass, he said action would be taken against those responsible after receiving the report.
Renovation of shrines
Meanwhile, CM Mohsin Naqvi has accorded approval for upgradation, renovation and expansion of shrines of saints.
Under the project, the shrines will be expanded and renovated in phases. The tomb of Shah Shams Tabraizi (R.A) will be expanded and upgraded to start with. Similarly, tombs of Baba Fariduddin Gangshakar and Baba Bullay Shah will be renovated, upgraded and expanded.
Dr Javed Akram on health cards
Earlier on Sunday, addressing a press conference along with Information Minister Amir Mir, Health Minister Dr Javed Akram said the provincial government had taken a policy decision that all who could travel abroad or afford an electricity bill of Rs8,000 or more would not be eligible for free treatment on the health card.
He was of the view that health cards were being grossly misused. He said the policy decision was taken to save drainage of funds. He expressed concerns regarding misuse of the health card and said excessive usage had depleted resources.
To address the issue, a fund of Rs1.5 billion had been established and only government hospitals would now provide free heart treatment. Private hospitals would charge a 30% fee for such treatments.
