The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has initiated the process of finalising guidelines for hospital emergency departments, according to a spokesperson for the commission. A committee has been constituted to complete the consultation process and submit recommendations within a fortnight. In this regard, a consultation meeting, chaired by Chief Executive Officer Punjab Healthcare Commission Dr Muhammad Saqib Aziz, was held here on Thursday.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr Saqib Aziz highlighted the importance of proper management of emergencies in the ‘golden hour’ to save lives. He emphasised the need to train doctors, nurses and paramedics in emergency medicine, and life-saving skills. He also underlined the need for inculcating professionalism, ethical practices and character-building in the medical graduates. “Due to high-level of stress and fear of aggression by the accompanying relatives of the critically ill patients, the emergency staff must be properly skilled and provided a safe working environment and rewarding service structure,” he added.
Director Clinical Governance Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Sulariya presented key features of the draft guidelines, and invited inputs. The participants highly appreciated the PHC initiative, and lauded commission’s role in bringing improvement in the healthcare service delivery.