PESHAWAR, Oct 21: Medical Superintendent of the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) Khosdil Khan has said that tight security measures have been taken after rise in cases of kidnapping of newborn babies from the hospital.

In an interview with APP here on Saturday, the MS said that the administration held extensive discussions with staff and other concerned people regarding the heinous crime and decided to deploy more police force in the hospital. Presence of gate-keepers at all entry points of the hospital would be ensured to provide maximum security to the patients and their attendants.

Koshdil Khan said that visiting hours had been specified in a bid to avoid unnecessary rush of guests, adding that visitors would have to get a Rs50 (refundable) badge before meeting their patients.

Cleanliness of the hospital would be guaranteed besides bridging the communication gap between the management and community staff of the hospital, he said, adding that services at the casualty, ICU and CCU wards would further be improved so as to provide timely treatment to patients. He said media should raise awareness among people.

He urged the provincial government to increase the Rs1.5 million maintenance fund of the hospital, adding that maintenance of the entire hospital was not possible with that meagre amount.—APP