Punjab Govt Imposes Emergency in Hospitals

In response to escalating hostilities and reported missile strikes from India, the Punjab government on Wednesday declared a health emergency across all public hospitals in the province. The directive includes reserving 50% of all hospital beds for potential emergency cases.

An official communication from the provincial health department has instructed the heads of all medical and dental teaching institutions—including vice chancellors, principals, executive directors, and hospital heads—to ensure uninterrupted medical services. This includes fully equipped emergency facilities and surgical preparedness.

“In light of the current situation between Pakistan and India, all public sector teaching hospitals are hereby placed on emergency alert,” the notification issued by the deputy secretary of the Punjab Health Department stated. Institutions have been directed to operate with full staffing and emergency protocols effective immediately.

All doctors, nurses, paramedics, and support staff have been suspended. Hospitals have also been instructed to ensure 24/7 availability of personnel, with operating theaters kept in a state of readiness.

Elective surgeries are to be postponed until further notice. Additionally, hospital administrations have been asked to stock adequate supplies of blood (across all blood types), essential medicines, vaccines, IV fluids, medical devices, and surgical disposables. A list of volunteer blood donors is also to be maintained and updated.

Hospitals must also confirm the operational status of all essential medical equipment, including ventilators, cardiac monitors, suction machines, and diagnostic tools such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI machines.

The health department is coordinating closely with Rescue 1122, district health authorities, and local administrations to ensure rapid response and patient transport where needed.

In solidarity with the emergency response effort, the Young Doctors Association (YDA) Punjab has called off its ongoing protest. Speaking to the media, YDA President Dr. Shoaib Niazi announced that all young doctors and healthcare workers would report for duty to support the emergency operations.