Hospitals keep all hands on deck
Photo File
The provincial health authorities coped with an unprecedented emergency situation in Lahore's hospitals as dozens of police officials and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers injured in their clashes were brought in for treatment during the past couple of days.
The health department had alerted all big city hospitals and advised the medical superintendents to make maximum arrangements to treat injured security personnel and PTI workers. The hospital administration officials had been advised to remain on duty round the clock. All senior professors, nursing and paramedical staffers were also on duty.
The measures had been taken in view of protests and clashes that started after an apparent attempt by the police to arrest former prime minister Imran Khan.
The major burden of the situation was borne by the Services and Sir Ganga Ram Hospitals where injured police officials and PTI workers were brought in ambulances through the day.
A hospital official told The Express Tribune that the injured personnel and activists were treated on a priority basis.
The patients were injured during clashes in Zaman Park , Mall Road and other adjoining localities.
"Total 59 injured persons were brought to the emergency ward of the Services Hospital of whom Lahore 56 were police personnel and three PTI workers. We provided the best treatment facilities to them, as a result of which 56 of them were discharged," said a senior official of the Service Hospital.
He said most of the patients had fallen unconscious because of tear gas shelling.
Three police officials are still under treatment in the hospital. Two of them are admitted to the surgical and one to the neuro emergency ward.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operation Shahzad Bukhari was also released from the hospital after a CT scan.
He had reportedly suffered a minor knee injury after being hit by a stone during a clash a day earlier. Most of the injured from the rival sides were suffering from bleeding and pain. Three other injured police officials were under treatment at Mayo Hospital and a Rangers personnel at the Rangers Headquarters Hospital.
The provincial health authorities had issued an alert to all government hospitals in Lahore and advised them to arrange maximum blood bags and quick emergency services for the injured.
The hospital administrators had been advised to remain on duty throughout the emergency situation, while the senior professors and paramedical staff had been instructed to remain in the wards.
Provincial Specialised Healthcare Secretary
Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi visited the emergency wards of the Sir Ganga Ram and Services Hospitals.
He met the senior faculty of doctors and inquired about the health of the injured officials.
"Lahore's hospital administrations had been asked to ensure the presence of medicines and doctors, nurses and other staff. They were also advised to treat injured security officials on a priority basis and to remain alert till the normalisation of of the situation in the city," he said on the occasion.
Naqvi lauds ‘police restraint’
Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the Services Hospital to check on the health of injured policemen, including Islamabad DIG Operations Shahzad Bukhari and the SHOs of the Kot Lakhpat and Nishtar Colony police stations who had been due to stone-pelting by PTI workers.
According to a media release, he expressed his gratitude for the bravery and professionalism of the injured policemen, claiming that the force had exercised restraint despite provocation.
The caretaker chief minister asserted that the law would take its course.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 16th, 2023.