Amraiz Khan
After a hiatus of 33 days, the Punjab government on Tuesday announced resumption of elective surgeries and out-patient department (OPD) services in all government hospitals across the province.
The decision to resume elective surgeries and open OPDs of four specialties, including ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology and Dentistry, from May 25 was taken in light of a significant decline in daily Covid-19 cases.
“The Competent Authority has directed that elective surgeries are to be resumed in all the public sector teaching/ specialized hospitals situated in Punjab except Mayo Hospital, Lahore from May 25,” a notification issued by the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department read.
“The OPD services of four specialties i.e. ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology and Dentistry would also be resumed in all the public sector teaching / specialized hospitals,” it said.
It was decided to open private medical colleges and universities with effect from May 27. Only third- and fourth-year MBBS and BDS students will be on campus. Ensure that all students are vaccinated.
No sports or other events will be allowed. The health department issued a notification in this regard on Tuesday.
According to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, a total of 817 new cases surfaced when 22,389 samples were tested across the province during the past 24 hours. It said 55 more people died from the pandemic during the same period.
The ventilator occupancy rate in Lahore has come down to 48 per cent due to a sharp decline in Covid-19 cases, health officials said.
At present, 143 patients are on ventilators and 224 in high dependency units in the provincial capital, they added.
