Medical cover: Doctors, paramedical staff on high alert today

Leaves in all teaching hospitals have been cancelled.

LAHORE:

Special Assistant to Punjab Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique has said all public hospitals are ready to  cope with any situation on Ashura.

He said the leaves of the doctors and paramedical staff in all teaching hospitals had been cancelled. He said the paramedical staff and doctors would serve patients round the clock. Separately, Post-Graduate Medical Institute Principal and Lahore General Hospital Dean Professor Anjam Habib Vohra said the hospital administration had made comprehensive arrangements to manage any emergencies related to Ashura. The doctors, nurses and paramedics will remain alert and those working in the Emergency Ward will remain present in the hospital. He said the Out Patient Department would be closed on Muharram 10 and the OPD staff would serve at emergency and other wards.

He said additional staff had been deployed at the Emergency Ward besides placing separate beds under a special duty roaster to help mourners. The blood bank in-charge had been directed to keep adequate stock of blood.

He said hospital ambulances would be available round the clock. A duty doctor would be available 24 hours on phone [phone]) at the control room of the hospital. He directed the assistant medical superintendants and deputy medical superintendant to ensure punctuality. He said generators would be in running order and sanitary inspectors would be vigilant.

Earlier, on Thursday, the Health Department had directed the administrations of all hospitals to remain alert and make all necessary arrangements to deal with any emergency situation on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

The circular issued by the health secretary asked the principals of medical colleges, teaching hospitals, autonomous medical institutions, district and tehsil headquarters hospitals and the executive district officers to ensure implementation of the medical cover plan.

The circular said the hospital authorities should keep in touch with the district administration and the police.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2012.