The Punjab government has enforced a complete ban on the use of mobile phones during duty hours in public sector hospitals, as stated in a notification issued by the Department of Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education.
Under the new directive, hospital staff below BPS-18 are not allowed to use mobile phones while on duty, especially in clinical and patient care areas. The department said the move was taken after serious concerns that mobile phone use was affecting the quality of patient care.
The restriction covers hospital wards, intensive care units, neonatal intensive care units, and operating theatres. Recording in these areas has also been strictly prohibited. However, officers performing purely administrative duties have been given limited permission to use phones for official purposes.
To address medicine theft, the department has ordered stronger monitoring within hospitals. CCTV cameras will be installed at pharmacy stores and dispensing counters, while pharmacy staff will be required to wear body cameras.
The notification states that body cameras must be used during stock receipt, issuance, and reconciliation. Security guards stationed at pharmacy sections and at internal and external entry points will also be required to wear body cameras.
All CCTV and body camera footage must be preserved for at least 30 days and monitored through a central control room. This control room will function under the supervision of authorised administrative and security officials only.
Medical superintendents have been directed to ensure the availability of surveillance equipment, while chief pharmacists and chief security officers have been instructed to strictly implement these orders.