LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a series of major reforms in public hospitals to improve healthcare across the province. Chairing a high-level meeting, she directed immediate steps to ensure better emergency response, specialist availability, and transparency in hospital operations.
Under her orders, a “Red and Blue Code Emergency System” will be introduced in all government hospitals within two days. Doctors will be given proper training and rehearsals to operate the new system effectively.
A new CM Health Vigilance Squad will also be formed to inspect hospitals and ensure implementation of the Chief Minister’s directives. This squad will directly report on compliance and performance.
Ventilators and Heart Care
Maryam Nawaz has instructed that ventilators be made available for both adults and children in all teaching and district hospitals. The plan also includes the deployment of trained heart specialists and consultants in phases across districts.
Until specialized cath labs are established, heart surgeons and consultants will visit district hospitals at least twice a week to provide services. “No patient should lose their life just because heart treatment is not available in their area,” she stressed.
Equipment, Audits, and Staff Regulations
The CM has called for audits of hospital equipment, labs, nursing, death records, cleanliness, and parking facilities. She ordered that hospital complaint cells be staffed with neutral officers, and that CCTV systems be fully functional and monitored regularly.
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In emergency and pediatric wards, only trained and experienced nurses will be deployed. The use of mobile phones by nurses and paramedical staff during duty hours is now banned. A pager system will be introduced for internal communication.
Medical Equipment and Medicine Availability
Maryam Nawaz directed that CT scan and MRI machines be made available and operational in every major district hospital. A list of available specialists has also been requested to fill any vacant positions.
To ensure access to medicines, she ordered:
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Free medicines to be made available to all patients.
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An up-to-date daily medicine availability list to be displayed at the hospital’s medicine store.
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Trauma centres to be established near emergency rooms with availability of life-saving drugs.
She also agreed to implement international life-saving protocols in hospitals across Punjab.
Three-Month Deadline for Visible Change
The Chief Minister has given officials a three-month deadline to implement all reforms. “People must see clear improvements in this time,” she said.
Maryam Nawaz vowed that the quality of government hospitals in Punjab will surpass even the best private hospitals in the province.
