The Punjab government has prohibited hospital staff below BPS-18 from using mobile phones during duty hours in all public sector hospitals. Instead, a pager system will be implemented for emergency communication. The decision, announced through two circulars issued on July 7 by the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department, aims to enhance emergency response efficiency and improve patient care.
The first circular requires all healthcare institutions to install pager systems to ensure swift and reliable communication during critical situations. The system will help deliver urgent alerts—such as Code Blue and Code Red—promptly, allowing for timely medical responses. Hospitals under the department’s jurisdiction must comply strictly with the new directive.
The second circular imposes a ban on mobile phone usage during duty hours for staff below BPS-18, particularly in emergency wards, ICUs, NICUs, and operation theatres. However, senior officials, including Medical Superintendents, Additional and Deputy Medical Superintendents, Senior Registrars, and Directors, are exempt. The government stated that excessive phone use has disrupted patient care and hospital operations.
Medical Superintendents and department heads have been tasked with enforcing the ban, monitoring compliance, and submitting reports within three days. The circulars also stress adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), especially for nursing students during critical procedures like IV injections. The directives have been sent to all public sector medical universities, colleges, specialized institutes, and teaching hospitals across Punjab, with copies forwarded to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and the Health Secretary.
