ISLAMABAD: In light of hostilities with India, public hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been put on high alert after respective administrations declared an emergency, asking the staff to be prepared to respond at any moment.

In Islamabad, all scheduled leaves of doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, and administrative personnel under the health ministry and its subordinate institutions have been cancelled with immediate effect, and employees have been directed to report to duty without delay.

In view of the national emergency, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has also cancelled his official visits to Geneva and Qatar. “At this moment, my top priority is to focus on the domestic situation and ensure the protection of public health,” he stated.

A 24/7 emergency quick response centre has been established at the federal health institution. The centre will assess health-related emergencies stemming from the ongoing conflict and coordinate immediate response efforts. It will maintain direct communication with all provincial and district health authorities to ensure a synchronised and efficient approach.

Health minister cancels leaves of medical staff with immediate effect; Iesco enforces emergency for uninterrupted power supply

According to a spokesperson, provincial health secretaries have been instructed to maintain coordination with the federal ministry. They have also been directed to regularly update their emergency response plans in accordance with the evolving federal guidelines.

RMU imposes emergency

In Rawalpindi, the Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) imposed a health emergency in the hospitals of the garrison city in light of the recent escalation with India that led to the death of almost two dozen citizens.

RMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Umer summoned a meeting of the professors and medical superintendents of the garrison city’s hospitals, including Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital, to chalk out a plan to deal with patients and supply of medicines in case of emergency.

After the meeting, Prof Dr Muhammad Umer told Dawn there were enough lifesaving drugs in the hospital and the leaves of the medical staff had been cancelled to deal with any untoward situation. “The professors and doctors are also ready to work in the ‘warzone’ to give medical treatment to the patients in border areas and this offer has been conveyed to the government,” he said.

He said that during the meeting, it was decided to make arrangements for enough blood in the blood bank, emergency allocation of beds, and other facilities.

He said that the hospitals would be ready to deal with emergencies concerning blunt injuries, burns, bullets and shrapnel injuries etc. He said that the officials had been deputed in the hospitals to coordinate with the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Civil Defence and Rescue 1122.

Iesco enforces emergency

Meanwhile, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) declared an emergency to ensure that electricity remains available in its region, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Iesco Chief Executive Muhammad Naeem Jan said that all leaves had been cancelled, and operational readiness had been enhanced across the directorates.

“132kv grid stations in Iesco region as well as Azad Kashmir are being monitored round the clock from the central control room in Islamabad. Operational and construction teams have been advised to ensure quick response and rectification of any emergent issues,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2025