I RECENTLY visited a hospital for a blood test for my niece. I was on the laboratory counter and could not help but notice the woman representative of the lab talking endlessly on her mobile phone. She did not pay any heed to my query and kept on talking.

It is common knowledge that patients and their relatives do pose problems when they visit a hospital but the receptionist who does not mind her job and indulges in gossip makes the situation worse.

I would, therefore, urge all hospitals to look into the matter and train their staff and improve their organiational skills by first banning the use of mobile phones during duty hours, specially in hospitals.

Noushaba Haque Solangi

Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2016