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RAWALPINDI, Jul 09 (APP):Following the orders by the Punjab Government to ban the use of mobile phones in the public sector hospitals across the province, Rawalpindi hospitals have started strict compliance by directing the staff to refrain from cell phone use during duty hours. The allied hospitals have also initiated monitoring of the compliance in different premises including operation theaters, ICUs, ITCs etc.
The three day deadline to implement the orders is ending on Thursday after which strict actions will be taken against the violations.
Rawalpindi hospitals are in full swing to come up with the compliance of the decision.
“Holy Family Hospital has already been practicing this, however strong monitoring has been placed to further eliminate any disruption in medical services particularly in OTs, ITCs, ICUs and other intensive care areas”, said Dr. Ejaz Butt, Medical Suprentendent HFH in a brief interaction with APP here on Wednesday.
Dr. Ejaz further informed that copies of the directives have been displayed on the key areas of the hospital.
” No negligence will be tolerated in this regard”, he said when asked about the possible actions on violations of the decision.
The Punjab government sought a compliance report to be submitted to the department within three days.
Dr. Ejaz informed that himself was directly supervising the cell phone ban-drive.
Similarly DHQ Teaching Hospital and Benazir Bhutto Hospital have also taken steps to follow the government’s orders.
To enhance patient care and maintain professionalism in public sector hospitals, the Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department of Punjab government has banned the use of mobile phones by hospital staff during duty hours. The decision addressed the staff below BPS-18 in critical areas such as Emergencies, ICUs, NICUs, and Operation Theaters, with exceptions made for those in administrative roles.
A spokesman of DHQ Teaching Hospital told APP that all measures were being taken by the hospital management in this regard.
“We have communicated with the staff directly and by displaying the notification on the main doors of all required premises”, he said.
To facilitate communication, the government has ordered the use of pager systems for critical alerts, such as Code Blue and Code Red, to ensure swift and uninterrupted responses.
Violations of the ban may lead to disciplinary action under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline, and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, including potential termination.
Dr Yousaf Khan, a classified Neuro Surgeon at DHQ Hospital said that excessive use of mobile by hospital staff is dangerous during the duty hours, particularly at sensitive areas. He informed that the hospital was completely observing the Punjab government directives.