Health facilities during Basant: 13 hospitals put on alert with necessary arrangements

LAHORE: On the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab, a strategy has been evolved to provide the best medical cover in Lahore on the occasion of Basant. All the hospitals in Lahore are on alert to deal with any emergency situation, sources said.

Necessary arrangements have been completed to deal with emergency situation in hospitals in Lahore on the occasion of Basant. In view of possible accidents during Basant, the presence of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff will be ensured in all government hospitals and emergency wards should be kept fully functional. Additional resources have been provided in hospitals, including essential medicines, surgical equipment, blood availability and ambulance services, so that any emergency situation can be dealt with immediately, the sources added.

An important meeting was held in the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department under the chairmanship of Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, to ensure a safe Basant. The meeting was also attended by Punjab Health Secretary Azmat Mahmood and heads of different hospitals.

Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, on the occasion directed the concerned authorities that no negligence will be tolerated in the treatment of patients and all arrangements should be continuously monitored. He also appealed to the citizens to take precautionary measures on the occasion of Basant and ensure compliance with the law so that precious human lives can be protected. Medical, nursing, paramedical staff, medicines, drips, vaccines and availability of surgical equipment will be ensured, he said.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that instructions have also been given to prepare a list of blood bags and blood donors. Beds will be allocated in hospitals for Basant while X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan and MRI machines will be kept functional. According to the details, more than 1200 rescuers, 56 ambulances, 24 fire vehicles and 300 rescue motorbikes will be deployed at important places in the provincial capital.

Rescue 1122 will also be on high alert during Basant. Special rescue teams will also be deployed in the walled city, Mozang, Ichhra, Shad Bagh and Data Darbar- Rescue teams will be available from nearby districts for immediate backup to respond in case of any major emergency.

Secretary Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Azmat Mahmood while expressing his views said that between February 6 and 8, the heads of teaching hospitals, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff have also been instructed to ensure attendance. The Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education has already issued an alert to 13 hospitals in the city in view of Basant.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026