In different wards of government and private hospitals, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has banned the use of mobile phones.
According to a communication addressed to the officials concerned, the provincial health department barred both public and private hospitals from using mobile phones or any electronic device in the laboratories of gynecological wards and occupational therapy (OT) wards for this purpose.
The authority further ordered that prior to accessing the aforementioned wards, staff should submit their phones so that the patients could get undivided attention.
The notification highlighted that the use of cell phones during working hours causes hindrance to providing people with care and treatment.
The authority has advised the hospitals to set up monitoring units to ensure the implementation of the directions. It warned that disciplinary action would be taken against those who disobey orders.
The KP government has previously banned the use of smartphones in provincial hospitals and medical facilities.
