Cameras off : Lady Reading Hospital lays down rules for media coverage

Move comes after patients had lodged complaints with the administration

PESHAWAR:

After complaints from patients over media interference, especially from those wounded by the recent rainstorm, the administration of Lady Reading Hospital has decided to lay down standard operating procedures (SOPs) for coverage.

While doctors have been complaining for a while, officials said the administration was forced to establish SOPs after patients said they were being disturbed at the emergency block.

“We had expressed our concerns and asked the media to stay away during an emergency situation, but to no avail,” said an official, requesting anonymity. “Now, patients have lodged complaints with the administration and it has planned to put things right,” he added.



The official told The Express Tribune that media persons, especially television journalists, tend to crowd the trauma centre and emergency ward, causing immense problems for all others concerned.

Media friendly

Earlier, a meeting was held with LRH Medical Director Dr Adnan Taj in chair. He discussed the matter at length with representatives of print and electronic media, asking them for suggestions to allow things to run smoothly.

“We don’t want to create hurdle for your profession nor do we want to ban the entry of media personnel to the hospital. However, we still have to tend to medical emergencies,” Taj told the meeting. He also said there should be an allotted place for the media so they can carry on with their duties.

Later, LRH Public Relations Officer Jamil Shah identified different areas in the hospital where media personnel could record videos. He said identity cards would be issued to journalists to ensure their coverage runs smoothly. Shah said the final decision on a media enclave would be taken by the LRH administration.

“The administration will not only ensure facilities, but will also ban the entry of the general public to the media enclave,” Shah assured. Representatives of the media organisations were satisfied with the location specified for them.

The hospital administration had expressed reservations for a long time and also proposed a ban on VIP visits after major incidents.

Reforming health

Minister for Health Shahram Khan Tarakai has said the provincial government was working on strengthening the existing medical infrastructure instead of constructing new buildings.

He was speaking to the media at the Peshawar Press Club after his visit to a free medical camp for journalists organised in collaboration with the Young Doctors Association, read an official handout issued on Wednesday.

Tarakai said tertiary care hospitals of the province were being given full autonomy for which necessary legislation was already being formulated. The aim is to transform Lady Reading Hospital into a state-of-the-art medical institution along the lines of the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2015.