Lahore, Pakistan – July 8, 2025 – In a significant move to enhance patient care and streamline emergency response, the Punjab government has banned the use of mobile phones by hospital staff below BPS-18 grade during duty hours in all public sector hospitals across the province. This new directive, issued through two circulars on July 7, 2025, by the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department, also mandates the introduction of a pager system for emergency communications.
Pager System for Critical Communications
The first circular outlines that making pagers mandatory across all public healthcare institutions is aimed at improving rapid communication during high-risk situations. The circular states, “Pagers help to ensure that critical alerts — such as Code Blue and Code Red — are promptly received and responded to.” All hospitals under the department’s jurisdiction have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with this new system.
Mobile Phone Ban and Enforcement
The second directive specifically prohibits the use of mobile phones during duty hours for all hospital staff below BPS-18 grade in critical areas such as emergencies, Intensive Care Units (ICUs), Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), and operation theatres.
Exceptions to this ban include senior administrative officers like Medical Superintendents, Additional and Deputy Medical Superintendents, Senior Registrars, and Directors. The directive warns that the frequent and unnecessary use of mobile phones has been disrupting patient care and overall hospital operations.
To ensure effective implementation, Medical Superintendents and heads of departments have been tasked with enforcing the ban, monitoring staff behavior, and submitting compliance reports within three days.
Broader Implications for Patient Care
Beyond the communication tools, the circulars also emphasize the need for a robust and responsive emergency care system. They further mandate strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by nursing students, particularly concerning sensitive procedures like IV injections.
These directives have been widely circulated to all public sector medical universities, colleges, specialized institutes, and teaching hospitals in Punjab. Copies have also been forwarded to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Secretary of Health, and other relevant department heads, underscoring the provincial government’s commitment to improving healthcare standards.
