Health authority told to end staff shortage.

RAWALPINDI -- Deputy Commissioner Chaudhry Mohammad Ali Randhawa has asked the District Health Authority to end the shortage of staff in healthcare facilities and to ensure that patients are provided free medicines.

He issued the directions at a District Health Authority meeting reviewing its performance, which was also attended by the authority's CEO Dr Rashid Khan and other senior officials from the district and health department.

Mr Randhawa said that the authority has a duty to overcome the staff shortage at tehsil headquarters hospitals and basic health units.

He said doctors and nursing staff should be present at hospitals to look after patients.

He said the provincial government is spending millions of rupees on the provision of free medicines, and health authority officials should make surprise visits to healthcare facilities to check whether people are able to avail them.

He also asked the CEO and medical superintendents to keep an eye on the system through a smartphone...