Hospital staff to wear cameras as Punjab tightens rules

• Cell phone use is prohibited while on duty at the hospital.
• The CM calls the unavailability of medicines “incomprehensible”.
• Approved body cameras to improve hospital accountability.

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to introduce body cameras for hospital guards, ward boys, nurses and pharmacy staff as part of wide-ranging reforms aimed at improving security and service delivery in public hospitals.

The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz where the progress of the ongoing health projects was reviewed.

The meeting also reached a consensus on banning the use of mobile phones by doctors and nurses during duty hours to ensure better patient care.

Taking serious notice of public complaints against private security guards deployed in hospitals, the prime minister called for strict action and accountability.

He also ordered all government hospitals to complete full steam cleaning by 9 am daily to maintain hygiene standards.

CM Maryam directed the authorities to prepare a new and modern list of medicines for the government hospitals and constitute a special committee for the purpose.

She expressed concern over drug shortages, saying the government allocates Rs 80 billion for drugs and termed the non-availability of drugs “incomprehensible”.

The meeting was informed that Punjab government hospitals may be able to procure modern Chinese-made medical equipment to upgrade their healthcare facilities. The prime minister also ordered a foolproof mechanism to ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines to hospitals.

It was decided to create an MS (Medical Superintendent) group across Punjab, with pay increments strictly linked to performance. Community health inspectors will also be given responsibility for conducting hospital investigations.

To assess the effectiveness of public welfare initiatives in the health sector, Maryam Nawaz ordered the establishment of a Data Analysis Centre.

During the briefing, officials informed the meeting that more than 2,500 doctors have secured jobs in Punjab in less than two years. It was also announced that 585,000 patients have been registered across Punjab for home delivery of cardiac medicines, while 6,000 hepatitis and tuberculosis patients are receiving medicines at their doorsteps.

Reiterating her determination, the prime minister said public money and time would no longer be wasted, warning that inefficient and negligent staff would have to go home.