Punjab health dept to improve services at 19 RHCs 

LAHORE: The Punjab Health Department is set to enhance services at 19 Rural Health Centers (RHCs), with a focus on specialized healthcare and improving tuberculosis (TB) case notification rates in underperforming districts. 
This initiative was announced during a review meeting, presided over by Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD) Secretary Nadia Saquib, to assess the progress of the National Health Support Program (NHSP).
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Gondal, Director General of Health Services and Program Director, provided a detailed briefing on the integrated referral system designed to link primary healthcare facilities with higher-level institutions. 
He outlined plans to upgrade services at the 19 RHCs and address gaps in TB case reporting in lagging districts.
Dr. Gondal also presented the annual work plan for the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), which aims to increase coverage by at least one percent for the Pentavalent-1 vaccine and by five percent or more for fully immunized children (FIC) in targeted areas. 
Moreover, he highlighted ongoing efforts to digitize cancer registry records and strengthen the capacity of healthcare managers. 
The meeting reviewed the status of quality improvement initiatives in primary care, including the implementation of Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS) and licensing by the Punjab Healthcare Commission.
Secretary Nadia Saquib expressed satisfaction with the progress, commending the team for their dedication and urging them to maintain momentum to achieve the program’s goals. 
She emphasized the importance of developing an integrated Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system and a comprehensive cancer registry, reaffirming her commitment to transparency and accountability in public health services.