One patient one attendant policy in hospitals

LAHORE

Punjab Health Department has approved one patient one attendant policy in emergency departments to ensure security for doctors and other medical personnel in all hospitals across Punjab. 

“Separate seating arrangements for the attendants should be made in waiting areas in hospitals where drinking water and toilet facilities should also be ensured,” said Najam Ahmed Shah, Secretary Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education, Punjab, while speaking at a meeting of vice chancellors and principals of public sector medical universities and medical colleges held under the chairmanship of adviser to chief minister on Health Kh Salman Rafique at Civil Secretariat on Monday. 

The meeting reviewed the incidents of hooliganism and violence in District Headquarters Teaching Hospital, Sargodha and Lahore General Hospital. The meeting discussed young doctors’ strikes in OPDs of teaching hospitals.

The principals of medical colleges/teaching hospitals briefed the meeting about young doctors’ strikes.

They informed that due to young doctors’ strike, the normal working of the hospitals has partially been affected, however, alternative arrangements were made for the smooth functioning of hospitals and the senior doctors continued medical checkup and treatment of patients in outdoor departments of the hospitals.

Earlier, Prof Khalid Mahmood, Principal, Lahore General Hospital /PGMI informed that an FIR had been registered against the culprits involved in torturing doctors a few days ago. He informed police have arrested six accused in the case. 

Najam Ahmed Shah said violence in public hospitals would not be tolerated and legal action would be taken against such elements. He directed the principals to ensure foolproof security arrangements in the hospitals.

He said police posts in the hospitals should be made effective and more security guards also be deployed on the hospitals’ premises. He directed that immediate FIRs also be got registered against the culprits in case of any violence in the hospitals.

Najam Ahmed Shah said all the work would be done purely on merit and no pressure or influence would be tolerated.

He said an FIR is being lodged against the accused involved in hooliganism in District Headquarters Teaching Hospital, Sargodha.

Najam Ahmed Shah said the government has itself taken action on merit and there is no justification left for the strike of young doctors, therefore, the Young Doctors Association should call off their strike in OPDs. Kh Salman Rafique directed that foolproof security arrangements should be made for the doctors performing their duties in Out Patients Departments (OPD) of the teaching hospitals.