Hospitals put on high alert across Punjab

Hospitals are directed to ensure coordination with Rescue 1122 and district administrations

LAHORE: All medical teaching institutions and teaching hospitals in Punjab have been put on high alert in the wake of current law and order situation.

In a circular issued by Secretary Specialised Healthcare Saqib Zafar, all medical institutions were directed to make sure the availability of medical, nursing, paramedical and support staff including senior administrative and medical staff round-the-clock. “Ensure availability of security staff, medicines, IV fluids, vaccines, anti-sera, surgical and non-surgical disposables,” read the circular addressing all heads of medical universities, colleges and medical superintendents of teaching hospitals.



Moreover, Zafar also directed the authorities concerned that all operation theatres should be fully functional and fully equipped functional ambulances along with trained staff should be standby. “Hospital authorities shall ensure coordination with Rescue 1122 and respective district administration,” the notification said.

Meanwhile, Secretary Specialised Healthcare Saqib Zafar has also issued guidelines for the prevention and control of smog. In a separate directive, he informed all heads of teaching institutions and attached hospitals that smog was harmful to human, animals, plants and nature as a whole so necessary arrangements were need of the hour.

“Smog is yellowish or blackish fog formed mainly by a mixture of pollutants in the atmosphere which consists of fine particles and ground-level ozone,” read the circular.



It was further advised to the quarters concerned to establish smog counters and isolation rooms and HDUs in the Institution besides display banners with name and contact number of the focal person regarding awareness of smog and prominent places in all healthcare institutions.

“Distribute masks and educational material to the visitors and hold awareness walks and conduct seminars with patronisation of public representative eminent society members and hospital staff,” the health secretary’s notification concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2018.