Bad weather: Leaves of doctors cancelled

Duties assigned preempting emergency situation across province

PESHAWAR: The health department cancelled leave applications of doctors at all hospitals in a notification issued Wednesday.

According to officials of the health department, the leaves dated for the eve of Eidul Fitr were cancelled due to expected rains.

“We are closely monitoring the situation, and since rains are expected across the province, it is likely to lead to flash floods. That is why we have issued the notification cancelling leaves,” a senior health official requesting anonymity told The Express Tribune. He said hospital directors have been told to prepare duty rosters for all major hospitals in Peshawar and assign duties to doctors at all district headquarters hospitals where floods are expected.

“We won’t take a risk because the floods have caused casualties in the past,” said the official.

When contacted, Jamil Shah, the PRO at Lady Reading Hospital told The Express Tribune the duty rosters of all units and departments at the hospital have been requested, which will soon be submitted to the hospital director. “All senior doctors will be on call and the hospital director, Dr Adnan Taj will himself be monitoring the situation,” Shah said. Emergency services will be provided continuously. Though, the out-patient department will be closed, he said.

Staff at Hayatabad Medical Complex will operate in a similar manner. Tauheed Zulfiqar, the PRO for HMC, said all senior doctors will be available on call.

She added emergency duties were already assigned. “At least two doctors will be present at all units and departments in the hospital,” Zulfiqar said, adding leaves of doctors have already been cancelled.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has already issued alerts and sent out mass messages that monsoon is likely to start on first day of Eidul Fitr.

“Rains have been predicted for today (Friday) until Tuesday in Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan and Kohat divisions in addition to thunderstorms and winds, and all the district managements have been directed to take necessary steps,” the message read.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2015.