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The Punjab Health and Population Department has imposed a complete ban on the use of mobile phones by hospital staff in emergency departments during duty hours, citing the need to ensure quality patient care and professionalism.
According to an official notification issued on January 16, the ban applies to all emergency departments operating under the administrative control of the Health and Population Department across the province. The directive covers medical, paramedical and support staff without exception.
The order states that mobile phone use during emergency duty hours has been prohibited with immediate effect. In cases of extreme necessity related to official duties or emergency communication, staff have been instructed to use designated landline numbers available within emergency departments.
The notification has been addressed to all chief executive officers of district health authorities as well as medical superintendents of DHQ (non-teaching) and THQ hospitals across Punjab.
Medical superintendents have been directed to formally convey the instructions to all concerned staff, ensure strict implementation of the ban and take appropriate disciplinary action in case of violations. The department has emphasized that the directive must be followed in both letter and spirit.
