Violence in public hospitals would not be tolerated : Secretary Health

Lahore: A high level meeting of Vice Chancellors and Principals of public sector medical universities and medical colleges was held under the chairmanship of Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Kh. Salman Rafique and Secretary Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Najam Ahmed Shah at Civil Secretariat, here on Monday.

The meeting reviewed the incidents of hooliganism and violence in District Headquarters Teaching Hospital Sargodha and Lahore General Hospital.

The meeting also discussed young doctors’ strikes in OPDs of teaching hospitals. 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, alternate 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.

Secretary Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Najam Ahmed Shah while addressing the meeting, said that violence in public hospitals would not be tolerated and legal action would be taken against such elements without any discrimination. Secretary Health directed the principals to ensure foolproof security arrangements in the hospitals. He said that police posts in the hospitals should be made effective and more security guards also be deployed in 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 directed that one patient one attendant policy should be ensured in the emergency department of the hospitals and separate sitting arrangements for the attendance also be made in waiting areas where drinking water and toilet facilities also be provided to them. Najam Ahmed Shah said that all the work would be done purely on merit basis and no pressure or influence would be tolerated.

He said that FIR is being lodged against the accused involved in hooliganism in District Headquarter Teaching Hospital Sargodha.

Earlier, Prof. Khalid Mahmood Principal Lahore General Hospital /PGMI informed that case has registered in Police Station Kot Lakhpat against the culprits involved in the torture on the doctors few days ago.

He informed that FIR No.489/16 was registered in the police station. He further informed that police has arrested six accused in this regard.

Najam Ahmed Shah said that government has itself taken action on merit and there is no justification left for the strike of young doctors, therefore, YDA should call off their strike in OPDs.

The Advisor on Health 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.