LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken direct control over the approval of foreign leave for government health employees. The decision ends the earlier practice of allowing administrative secretaries to handle such approvals.
According to a new notification, only Maryam Nawaz will now approve foreign (Ex-Pakistan) leave for doctors, nurses, and other staff. All medical universities, hospitals, and health departments have been officially informed of this change.
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Staff members must now apply at least one month in advance. Their leave will only be considered valid after approval from the Chief Minister. This move aims to centralize authority and ensure better accountability across departments.
In another major development, Maryam Nawaz has also launched the CM Health Vigilance Squad. This new initiative is focused on improving healthcare quality in government hospitals throughout Punjab.
During a key meeting on healthcare reforms, she announced that three squads would begin working soon under a pilot project. Each squad will include professionals such as doctors, pharmacists, biomedical engineers, and data analysts.
The squads will inspect public hospitals, check medicine availability, verify staff attendance, and ensure equipment is functioning. If they find problems, action must be taken within 24 hours.
To support this effort, the Chief Minister approved a detailed checklist for inspections. She also ordered the creation of a Directorate of Monitoring within the Health and Population Department.
These steps reflect a broader effort by Maryam Nawaz to improve public healthcare services. Her focus is on transparency, discipline, and better patient care across the province.
The new policies are expected to increase efficiency in the health sector and ensure proper oversight of public funds and services.
