146 rescue paramedics to be deputed

Training underway to deal with Covid-19 patients

LAHORE: Punjab government has decided to deploy 146 more rescue paramedics to cope with the increasing burden in hospitals due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The staff will be deployed at Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) and Rawalpindi Institute of Urology and Transplantation (RIUT) by the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department.

Last week, a squad of 100 paramedics was sent to Mayo Hospital in Lahore for dealing with Covid-19 patients.

About 70 rescue paramedics have been sent to the PKLI and the remaining will join the RIUT after completion of their coronavirus management training. Emergency officers and instructors from Rescue Headquarters, academy and Rawalpindi wing shall ensure proper deployment, discipline and safety of the paramedics deputed at Mayo Hospital, PKLI and RIUT.

Referring to an earlier request to place 100 trained staff at the disposal of the chief executive Officer of Mayo Hospital, a letter by the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department to the Rescue 1122 DG read, “It is further requested that 146 more trained staff may please be deputed for utilisation of their services at the PKLI, RIUT and other institutions.

However, an official shared with The Express Tribune that the rescuers had not completed their training and they were being deployed pre-maturely.

On the other hand, Rescue 1122 information wing’s head Deeba Shahnaz said staffers were being deployed after proper training. They were being deployed only to assist the hospital medical staff in transportation of or escorting patients.

She added that the job of nursing was not to be performed by the rescue workers. It had been clearly decided and communicated between health department and Rescue 1122.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2020.