LAHORE:Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said the government is expanding healthcare reforms, with free treatment worth over Rs17.5 billion provided under special health programmes and plans underway to introduce a digital patient referral system across the province.
Chairing separate meetings at King Edward Medical University (KEMU) and the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company, the minister reviewed a digital patient referral system developed by KEMU and the performance of major health initiatives.
A presentation at KEMU highlighted patient flow, digital tracking and referral data from Mayo Hospital. Rafique described the system as an effective and transparent initiative and said it would be extended to hospitals across Punjab in phases to improve coordination, transparency and data-based decision-making.
KEMU Vice Chancellor Prof Mahmood Ayaz termed the system an important step towards better patient guidance, timely referrals and digital transparency.Reviewing health programmes, the minister said free treatment worth more than Rs17.5 billion had been provided through federally funded hospitals. He said over Rs3 billion was being spent annually on free cardiac treatment, while cancer patients were receiving free diagnosis and treatment facilities worth Rs13 billion each year.
He said more than 12,926 children had undergone free heart surgeries under the Chief Minister's Children's Heart Surgery Programme, while 1,944 transplants, including kidney, liver, cochlear, bone marrow and corneal procedures, had been carried out under the transplant programme. Rafique said the government was utilising all available resources to provide quality healthcare and expand access to modern medical facilities across Punjab.
