LAHORE - State Minister for Health Saira Afzal Tarar and Adviser to Punjab CM on Health Kh Salman Rafiq chaired a meeting to review arrangements for launching health insurance scheme at Civil Secretariat yesterday.
In the first phase, schemes will be launched in four districts - Rahim Yar Khan, Narowal, Khanewal and Sargodha - by the end of current month. The officers of health ministry, Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Secretary Najam Ahmed Shah, Health Special Secretary Dr Sajid Mahmood Chauhan and Punjab Health Initiative Management Company CEO Dr Saira Siddique attended the meeting.
Dr Saira said that insurance cards distribution has started in Rahim Yar Khan. The scheme will be officially inaugurated by the end of September in Rahim Yar Khan and the remaining districts will be included within two months, she added.
As many as 1.3 million families will get free medical facilities under Health Insurance Program in these four districts. In next phase, four more districts including Lahore and Faisalabad will be added in the program.
REVIEWING ANTI-POLIO ACTION
Meanwhile, the CM’s adviser chaired a meeting to review status of National Emergency Action Plan for Polio Eradication at Directorate General Health Services.
Punjab EOC Coordinator Dr Munir Ahmed gave detailed briefing on challenges especially the movement pattern of migrant population in Lahore and Rawalpindi. He said that 36 permanent transit points were operational with dedicated staff working round the clock to vaccinate children coming from other provinces. The meeting also reviewed introduction of Rotavirus vaccine in six districts from next month and validation status of Mother and Neonatal Tetanus elimination in Punjab. Delegation from WHO and UNICEF will visit Punjab next month to evaluate Punjab’s claim of MNT elimination.
Salman stressed the need of strengthening vaccination at inter-provincial borders. He directed EPI team to start homework for introduction of Rubella vaccine in routine immunization by 2018-19. The preparatory work must be completed this year, he directed.