ISLAMABAD: The interim Federal Minister for Health, Dr Nadeem Jan, has constituted a three-member committee, tasking it with devising a comprehensive strategy to fully re-functionalize the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Chak Shahzad, Islamabad.
The minister ordered the step during a recent visit to the hospital, expressing his concern that with a bed capacity of 250, the facility has remained non-operational for the past two years.
The committee, to be led by Dr Muhammad Salman, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Health (NIH), has been asked to furnish its recommendations on fully restoring the hospital's functionality to the minister for his review and further action.
Subsequently, Dr Jan also inspected the Regional Blood Centre, where he found more than 40 of the staff members absent from duty. Taking prompt action, he ordered the issuance of explanation letters to the absent staff and initiation of a probe into the reasons behind the center's non-functionality.
To ensure transparency and adherence to merit in the healthcare sector, the minister ordered timely disbursement of salaries to the staff of both the Infectious Diseases Hospital and the Regional Blood Centre.
On the occasion, he highlighted the ongoing reform agenda of the federal government to bring improvements in the healthcare sector.
Furthermore, he urged all officers to remain committed to their responsibilities, warning of stringent measures against any negligence in the execution of duties.
Dr Jan reiterated the government's dedication to providing the finest medical facilities across the country by ensuring efficient delivery of healthcare services.
