'Ministry's policies confined to papers only'

The policies of Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Co-ordination are confined to papers only as their implementation seems invisible at grassroots level, especially in the remote and far-flung areas of the country. Chairman of National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services Khalid Hussain Magsi said this on Monday, while chairing the meeting here at the ministry.
The committee members directed the ministry officials that policies should be devised keeping in view the ground realities, instead of estimated figures to bring their benefits at grassroots level. The ministry officials were also directed to develop a proper working relationship with the provinces so that policies could be implemented in the real sense. Most of the functions of the ministry have been devolved to provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
Taking up the issue of substandard and unregistered stents being used in the government hospitals, the committee directed the ministry to fully cooperate with investigating agencies, like Federal Investigation Agency, to bring the culprits to justice.
The committee members said the racketeers are playing with lives of the people across the country and the ministry cannot surrender its responsibility just saying that the matter has been devolved to the provinces.
The committee members said that Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) should also initiate drastic measures to curb the crime and refrain from registering substandard stents. The committee chairman also directed the ministry to ensure the usage of auto disposable syringes in all over the country as this is becoming a major source of many fatal diseases like Aids.
The committee discussed the proposals of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) of the financial year 2017-18 relating to Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Co-ordination and its attached departments. The committee appreciated all the proposals, but directed the ministry to ensure the completion of ongoing projects before initiating new projects and also ensure timely completion of new projects in order to avoid financial losses. The committee unanimously passed the budgetary proposals of the ministry for the upcoming financial year.