02/05/2024

Punjab Government Launches 'Field Hospital' Initiative to Enhance Rural Healthcare

Lahore: The Punjab government has launched the ‘Field Hospital’ initiative, a groundbreaking step toward improving healthcare accessibility in the province’s rural areas. This initiative involves the deployment of 32 field hospitals, including 21 mobile healthcare units and 11 mobile diagnostic units, designed to address the healthcare needs of under-served communities across all 36 districts of Punjab. During the programme's launch, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stressed the importance of reducing health inequalities in rural regions. "This programme is a focused effort to improve healthcare outcomes in areas that have long lacked adequate medical resources," she stated. The field hospitals, repurposed from containers once used for other purposes, will now bring essential healthcare services directly to rural populations. The chief minister highlighted the swift execution of the project, which was completed within six weeks, and introduced its Pay-for-Performance Model, which ties financial rewards for healthcare providers to the quality of care and patient outcomes. She also noted that this initiative works in tandem with the ‘Clinic on Wheels’ programme, further enhancing Punjab’s healthcare infrastructure. Each of the 32 field hospitals will be fully equipped with critical healthcare facilities, including an ultrasound room, pharmacy, and laboratory. These hospitals are expected to serve around 1.5 million patients annually, significantly improving healthcare access and outcomes for marginalized communities across the province.