Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has directed a complete ban on the use of mobile phones by doctors and nurses during duty hours in all public hospitals across the province. The order, issued through an official directive from the CM’s Office, instructs that no member of the medical or nursing staff will be allowed to use their phones while on duty within government-run healthcare facilities. The move is aimed at improving service delivery, ensuring staff attentiveness, and promoting better care for patients.
The decision forms part of a wider effort by the provincial government to reinforce discipline and professional standards within public healthcare institutions. The official notification makes it clear that any breach of this directive will be considered a serious violation of duty and dealt with under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act. Penalties for non-compliance could include strict administrative action, including suspension or termination from service.
Officials within the provincial administration have emphasized that the restriction is not intended to disrupt communication for legitimate medical purposes, but rather to eliminate unnecessary phone usage that may cause distraction or reduce the quality of patient interaction. The step was taken after growing concerns that mobile phone usage during shifts was interfering with the staff’s ability to provide focused and uninterrupted care to patients.
All public hospitals have been instructed to implement the policy without delay. Hospital administrators are expected to ensure strict enforcement of the ban and report any violations promptly. Internal monitoring mechanisms are being reinforced to support compliance across departments. The directive applies uniformly to all tiers of healthcare staff including junior doctors, senior consultants, and nursing personnel on active duty.
The provincial government believes that reducing mobile phone dependency during shifts will contribute to a more professional work environment, increase patient trust in public healthcare services, and improve the overall experience of those seeking medical attention. This move aligns with broader administrative efforts to raise operational standards across government sectors through stricter enforcement of rules and employee accountability.
By invoking the provisions of the PEEDA Act, the government is signaling its intent to hold medical staff accountable for professional conduct and to maintain a zero-tolerance approach to disciplinary lapses. The CM’s Office has also reiterated its commitment to improving the performance of public hospitals and ensuring that the quality of service remains the top priority.
As part of this initiative, hospital managements are being reminded of their responsibility to provide alternative means of communication for emergency use when required, ensuring that the ban does not interfere with critical medical coordination. The government aims to strike a balance between discipline and functionality, with patient care at the center of the policy shift.
