Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has instructed doctors in government hospitals to refrain from using mobile phones during duty hours. She warned that negligence in patient care could endanger lives.
Addressing medical superintendents (MSs) and chief executive officers (CEOs) of public hospitals in Lahore, CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized that patients visiting public hospitals rely entirely on timely and responsible medical attention. She said that doctors distracted by phones is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“Even minor lapses in healthcare can have fatal consequences,” she stated. She instructed hospital administrations to implement strict monitoring of doctors and staff. She highlighted the importance of supervision beyond offices, urging senior officials to visit wards regularly and personally assess service delivery.
CM Maryam Nawaz also warned that strict action would be taken in response to complaints, especially cases of neglect or corruption. She stressed that funds allocated for medicines for poor patients must not be misused. According to her, the main issue in public hospitals is accountability and monitoring, not a shortage of funds.
Highlighting broader reforms, the chief minister said incidents of criminal negligence still occur despite significant healthcare spending. She urged hospitals to improve discipline, ensure one patient per bed, and maintain proper safety measures, including functional fire safety systems.
At a separate event related to pediatric heart surgeries, CM Maryam Nawaz announced Rs. 3 billion in funding for children’s cardiac treatment. She revealed that 1,500 doctors and 5,000–6,000 nurses have been recruited. She encouraged medical professionals to prioritize saving lives and avoid distractions during duty hours.
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The chief minister’s directives aim to strengthen accountability, enhance patient care, and reduce negligence in Punjab’s public hospitals. Authorities are expected to closely monitor compliance to ensure quality healthcare services.
