AJK Health Minister Orders Crackdown on Unnecessary Staff Attachments, Vows Strict Action Against Violators:
MIRPUR : Azad Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Dr Mustafa Bashir Abbasi on Friday ordered the immediate elimination of all unnecessary staff attachments in the Health Department, warning of strict action against officials violating the directives, as the government moves to streamline health services and ensure the provision of quality medical facilities to the public at their doorsteps.
Addressing a meeting of tge State Health Department officials here he said that directives had been issued to take necessary measures in accordance with the department’s requirements and abolish all unnecessary staff attachments, warning that strict action would be taken against those violating the orders.
“Health is the government’s top priority, and all available resources will be utilized to improve public healthcare,” he said.
DHO Mirpur Dr Fida Hussain Kiani, Surgeon Dr Waseem Abbasi and other health officials were also present.
The minister said the AJK government was undertaking short-, medium- and long-term initiatives to modernize and improve healthcare services at District Headquarters Hospital Mirpur and other hospitals across the region. He expressed confidence that the measures would begin yielding positive results in the coming months.
He said work was underway under the government’s 100-day plan to improve hospital performance and make the Clinic on Wheels initiative more effective. These measures would expand access to healthcare in local communities while creating further opportunities for medical education and professional training.
The minister stressed that health officials and medical staff must provide impartial and quality treatment to all patients and address their difficulties effectively. Ensuring adequate medical personnel, medicines and essential healthcare facilities remained among the government’s key priorities, he added.
During the meeting, an NGO representatives briefed the minister on the organization’s ongoing healthcare projects and planned programmes across AJK.
He said that the organization was providing free cataract surgeries to deserving patients in various areas, particularly those near the Line of Control (LoC), besides supplying free medicines to patients in different hospitals and operating eye-care centres offering medical examinations and medicines.
The NGO representative said the organization was also implementing environmental protection initiatives involving the plantation of olive, fruit-bearing and shade trees across AJK. Under a solid waste management and recycling project in Mirpur, used materials were being converted into tuff tiles, flowerpots, chairs and benches. The organization was also promoting women’s economic empowerment through its Women Sewing Centres, where women were being equipped with vocational skills.
He further said several water filtration plants had been installed to provide clean drinking water to Mirpur residents, Mangla Dam affectees and families of overseas Pakistanis. Efforts were underway, with the support of donors, to repair, rehabilitate and maintain the operational efficiency of these facilities.
Dr Mustafa Bashir Abbasi said such efforts complemented government services and helped improve access to essential facilities. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with welfare organizations to further improve healthcare services and ensure the provision of quality medical treatment to the common people.
He added that the Pakistan Muslim League-N would continue its mission of public service acrossyhd country besides AJK.
