Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed doctors in government hospitals to strictly avoid using mobile phones during duty hours, warning that negligence in patient care can cost lives.
Addressing medical superintendents (MSs) and chief executive officers (CEOs) of public hospitals in Lahore, the chief minister said that patients visiting government hospitals are not wealthy and depend entirely on timely and responsible medical attention.
She stressed that doctors focusing on mobile phones instead of patients is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“Doctors refraining from using mobile phones during duty hours will not bring about any disaster,” she remarked, adding that even minor lapses in the health sector can have fatal consequences.
Maryam Nawaz instructed hospital administrations to ensure strict monitoring of doctors and staff, emphasizing that supervision should not be limited to offices. She urged senior officials to visit wards regularly, personally assess service delivery, and ensure that patient care is not compromised due to distractions or misconduct.
The chief minister also warned of strict action in response to complaints, particularly those involving corruption or neglect. She said funds meant for medicines for poor patients must not be misused and reiterated that the core issue in public hospitals is accountability and monitoring, not lack of funding.
Highlighting broader reforms, Maryam Nawaz said that despite significant spending in the health sector, incidents of criminal negligence still surface. She emphasized the need to improve discipline in hospitals, ensure one patient per bed, and enforce safety measures, including functional fire safety systems.
Separately, speaking at an event related to pediatric heart surgeries, the chief minister announced that Rs. 3 billion has been allocated for children’s cardiac treatment. She also revealed that 1,500 doctors and 5,000 to 6,000 nurses have been recruited, urging medical professionals to make saving lives their primary mission rather than allowing distractions to interfere with patient care.