KARACHI, Dec 11: The Sindh government has made it mandatory upon doctors of government and private health outlets to ensure provision of first aid immediately to the people who suffer injuries in accidents.

A directive by the Sindh home department noted with concern the denial of first aid to such patients; and said orders have been issued for providing immediate medical aid in cases of accidents/ injuries and the government would check negligence, if any, on the part of doctors or local police.

It warned the concerned officials against their failure to provide first aid to the people and said if their negligence causes the death of an injured patient, the concerned doctors/officials shall face action under the relevant law.

“First aid shall be rendered immediately to the patients injured in accidents or otherwise by the doctors on duty in the hospital (government/private) without waiting for the arrival of the police and registration of FIR or reference by the police of such patients”, it said.

The order has been issued to avoid loss of life owing to consumption of time in completion of such formalities.

“Under no circumstances, such injured persons shall be left unattended and such patients be administered medical aid on priority basis.

The directive said “it has been decided to publish rule 25.19-A of police rules, for the knowledge/awareness of general public as well doctors of government/private hospitals.

“Not withstanding anything contained in these rules, first aid shall be rendered immediately to the patients injured in accidents or otherwise by the doctors on duty in the hospital (government/private) without waiting for the arrival of the police and registration FIR or reference by the police of such patients to the hospitals of emergency ward to avoid loss of life owing to consumption of time in completion of such formalities and under no circumstances, such injured person shall be left unattended and such patients be administered medical aid on priority basis and when the failure in providing such aid causes death of such injured patient, the concerned doctors/officials shall be liable to criminal action for his/her such criminal negligence under there relevant law for the time being enforce.

“Provided the injured suspected to be involved in criminal activities shall have to be referred to the hospitals by police”. —PPI