The Punjab government has decided in principle to install body cameras for security guards, ward boys, nurses, and pharmacy staff in government hospitals, while agreeing to impose a ban on the use of mobile phones by doctors during duty hours.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz, where progress on various health projects was reviewed.
During the meeting, it was agreed that doctors and other medical staff in government hospitals will not be allowed to use mobile phones while on duty, in a bid to improve discipline and patient care.
The chief minister also directed that body cameras be installed for hospital security guards, ward boys, nurses, and pharmacy staff to ensure transparency, accountability, and better service delivery.
The meeting approved the use of Chinese-manufactured modern medical equipment to upgrade government hospitals. It was also decided that salary increases in public hospitals would be granted strictly on a performance-based system.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that Rs80 billion is being allocated for medicines, questioning how the non-availability of drugs could still be an issue.
She stressed that public money and time would not be wasted and warned that incompetent and negligent staff would be removed from service.