Fearing backlash: Hospitals on high alert

Leaves of all health officials have been cancelled, supervisors have been ordered to ensure availability of staff.

PESHAWAR:

A high alert has been issued to all health institutions of the province on the direction of Minister for Health Shahram Khan Tarakai.

According to a health department notification issued on Monday, leaves of all health officials have been cancelled and supervisors have been ordered to ensure availability of medical staff at emergency wards. The instructions have been issued in light of the military operation under way in North Waziristan.

Talking to The Express Tribune, an official informed that security guards have been deployed at the main gates of Lady Reading Hospital and leaves of all hospital employees from class-IV to professors has been cancelled with immediate effect.

He said the chief executive of the hospital has directed all hospital staff to reach the hospital in an emergency situation, even if it falls outside their duty hours. He said all arrangements have been completed at the hospital and doctors will be available 24 hours in the accident and emergency department.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2014.