Maryam Aurangzeb conducts surprise hospital visits to assess healthcare reforms

On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb disguised herself as a common citizen and conducted surprise visits to Jinnah Hospital and Lahore Children’s Hospital to evaluate the quality of healthcare services.

During her visit, she inspected hospital counters, wards, and pharmacies, reviewing the free supply of medicines and overall cleanliness. She also interacted with patients' families, who acknowledged a significant improvement in cleanliness, treatment facilities, and the availability of free medicines.

Reports confirmed that all prescribed medicines were available inside the hospital pharmacies. Announcements were being made to inform patients in emergency wards and hospital admissions to collect medicines from within the hospital. Additionally, a helpline was set up for complaints regarding the non-provision of free medicines.

Transparency measures have also been implemented, with digital screens at hospital receptions displaying the number of admitted patients and details of available medicines outside the pharmacy. Cleanliness staff and security guards were actively performing their duties, and doctors and medical staff were present in the wards.

Maryam Aurangzeb also visited the Medical Superintendent’s (MS) office, where she praised the hospital staff and doctors for their improved performance following Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s recent surprise visit to Jinnah Hospital on March 24.

The Chief Minister had earlier expressed strong displeasure over reports of patients being forced to buy medicines from outside and the hospital's mismanagement. As a result, she had ordered a series of reforms, including displaying medicine stock details on screens outside pharmacies, ensuring public announcements about free medicines, and maintaining transparency in patient admissions and treatment.