By Muhammad Shahzad | Lahore, Pakistan

SWAT: Commissioner Malakand Division Iqbal Hussain Baacha has directed strict administrative oversight, verification of resources and accountability across the division’s healthcare network to improve public service delivery.

He issued these directives while chairing a high-level meeting attended by District Monitoring Officers (DMOs) of the Independent Monitoring Unit (IMU), Health Department officials and Regional Information Officers to discuss reforms and strengthen monitoring of healthcare facilities.

During the meeting, all DMOs were given one week to submit comprehensive monitoring data for every health facility in Malakand Division in accordance with the proforma approved by the provincial government.

They were also directed to prepare detailed reports within the stipulated period verifying available medicine stocks, budgets allocated to Medical Superintendents and the procurement of medical equipment. The verification process will include checking valid purchase certificates and documenting operational machinery that requires electricity.

To strengthen coordination and oversight, all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) were directed to hold District Health Steering Committee meetings on the 20th of every month. These meetings will be coordinated with the Commissioner’s Office, with online meeting links shared directly with the office.

The commissioner placed particular emphasis on accountability and directed all deputy commissioners to ensure regular monitoring and proper recording of healthcare staff attendance.

Officials found absent without authorisation will face disciplinary action, including salary stoppage where warranted under the applicable rules.

He further instructed all DMOs to personally visit every healthcare facility within their respective jurisdictions to assess service delivery, monitor available resources and evaluate staff performance.

The performance of monitoring officers will also be assessed continuously on the basis of the effectiveness of their inspections, accuracy of reporting and action taken against negligent personnel.

Emphasising the importance of transparent reporting, Iqbal Hussain Baacha said no compromise would be tolerated in the performance, monitoring and service delivery of the Health Department.

He warned that failures to ensure accurate, complete and transparent reporting would be taken seriously, with responsibility for any discrepancies determined accordingly.

To streamline data collection, Tauqeer Abbasi, Divisional Monitoring Officer of IMU Health Malakand Division, has been designated as the divisional focal person. He has been tasked with developing a centralised Google Form within one week to collect the required information from all DMOs across the division.

The consolidated data will subsequently be submitted to the Commissioner’s Office via email for official review.

The measures are aimed at strengthening administrative accountability, improving medicine and equipment monitoring, ensuring staff attendance and enhancing the quality of healthcare services provided to the public across Malakand Division.