Rawalpindi commissioner inspects DHQ Hospital, orders tighter fire safety and emergency measures

Commissioner Rawalpindi Salman Ghani visited the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital and conducted an on‑site review focused on fire safety, emergency preparedness and patient care. His inspection covered multiple departments, staffing levels and logistical arrangements that affect day‑to‑day emergency response and service delivery.

During the visit the commissioner: inspected departments, checked attendance of doctors, nurses, paramedics and other staff, reviewed emergency response measures, and examined medicine stocks and cleanliness arrangements. These checks target two practical risks: compromised emergency response during a fire or other incident, and service breakdowns that increase patient risk through delayed care or medicine shortages.

Directives issued to hospital management

The commissioner issued a set of specific orders aimed at reducing key vulnerabilities:

• Keep emergency exits clear and functional at all times.
• Ensure firefighting equipment is maintained and operational.
• Install fire hydrants on hospital premises.
• Conduct regular fire safety training and mock drills in coordination with Rescue 1122.
• Maintain adequate stocks of essential and life‑saving medicines without interruption.
• Reduce waiting times and congestion in the Emergency and OPD sections through administrative changes and continuous monitoring.

Operational follow‑through and coordination

Salman Ghani emphasized coordination between hospital administration and external response units, naming Rescue 1122 as the partner for drills and emergency preparedness. He also mandated routine monitoring of medical and administrative affairs, which implies ongoing audits of staffing, medicine supply chains and facility cleanliness.

Immediate implications for patients and staff

For patients, the directives aim to shorten wait times in high‑pressure areas (Emergency and OPD) and ensure access to necessary medicines. For clinical and support staff, the orders increase responsibilities: stricter attendance checks, participation in regular training and adherence to clearer evacuation and emergency procedures.

Look for announcements or orders documenting the hydrant installations, scheduled drills, equipment maintenance logs and measures taken to cut Emergency/OPD waiting times. Stock reports for essential medicines and staff attendance records will indicate whether the directives have been implemented consistently.

The commissioner's visit combined facility inspection with concrete operational orders: improve fire protection infrastructure, run coordinated drills, ensure staff availability, and keep medicine supplies steady. The focus is practical: reduce risks that directly affect patient safety and the hospital's ability to respond to emergencies.