Private hospitals across Punjab have been ordered to dedicate 35% of their beds to patients displaced or injured by the province’s devastating floods, the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) announced Thursday.
The directive, issued as part of an “Emergency High Alert,” is a sweeping response to rising health concerns in flood-hit areas. Hospitals are being told not only to prioritize treatment for victims but also to offer it free of charge.
Round-the-Clock Care and Stockpiles of Essential Medicines
Under the PHC’s orders, all private healthcare facilities must ensure uninterrupted operations of emergency wards, intensive care units (ICUs), and high-dependency units. Hospitals are also required to keep a steady supply of critical medicines and maintain full staffing, including administrators and senior doctors, around the clock.
The PHC stressed that hospitals should ensure their medical equipment—including ventilators, diagnostic imaging machines, and cardiac monitors—remains fully functional to handle the influx of patients.
Preventing Disease Outbreaks in Flood-Hit Regions
Beyond emergency treatment, the commission’s notice underscores the importance of stopping secondary health crises. With stagnant water creating breeding grounds for cholera, dengue, and other waterborne illnesses, hospitals have been instructed to step up disease surveillance and adopt strict infection control measures.
Evacuation Plans and Strict Enforcement
The PHC also directed private hospitals to draw up contingency evacuation plans for relocating vulnerable patients in case of structural damage to buildings. Facilities are expected to coordinate with nearby safe hospitals or makeshift medical centers to ensure patient safety.
Authorities warned that hospitals failing to meet these requirements could face disciplinary action, signaling the seriousness of the government’s response.
Context: Rising Pressure on Punjab’s Health System
The directive comes as Punjab continues to grapple with extensive flood damage, which has displaced thousands and strained both public and private health facilities. Public hospitals are already nearing capacity, making private sector support crucial to managing the crisis.
