LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the creation of a Health Vigilance Squad to oversee operations at government hospitals across Punjab.
The squad will ensure better hospital management by checking performance and holding staff accountable. The chief minister has ordered immediate action—within 24 hours—on any issues found during inspections.
As a pilot project, three squads will be formed. Each will include doctors, pharmacists, biomedical engineers, budget and accounts officers, data experts, and other relevant professionals. They will inspect key areas such as medicines, staff duty rosters, clinical services, and biomedical equipment.
A detailed checklist will guide the teams, and a new Directorate of Monitoring will be set up under the Health and Population Department. This directorate will have separate monitoring units for district and tehsil hospitals and rural health centers. It will also run a round-the-clock surveillance room.
Maryam Nawaz also directed that all hospitals must continue providing free medicines, warning of strict action against those who fail to do so. She approved the setup of cath labs in eight district hospitals, with operations to begin by December. She also ordered basic furniture for doctors living in remote areas.
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Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan to discuss political and administrative matters.
The speaker praised her for establishing the Punjab Economic Reforms Authority (PERA) to tackle inflation, hoarding, profiteering, illegal land occupation, and encroachments. He also lauded the government’s quick relief efforts during the recent monsoon rains.
The chief minister said PERA would help deliver real relief to the people. She also announced a major step for youth empowerment through a global certification program for freelancers in Punjab.
