Islamabad hospitals on high alert as three marches approach
Hospitals across the federal capital have been directed to remain prepared for any emergency linked to the expected gatherings.
According to official hospital instructions, senior medical staff and key departments have been told to remain available and ready to report immediately if an emergency call is received.
The instructions cover assistant executive directors, specialists, blood bank officials, nursing officials, security officers and storekeepers.
The preparations are aimed at ensuring hospitals can respond quickly if the number of patients suddenly increases during the protest activities.
Blood banks and ambulances kept ready
Blood bank officials have been instructed to maintain reserves of at least 100 bags of blood.
The measure is part of preparations for any situation that could require emergency treatment or a sudden increase in patients.
Hospital transport officials have also been directed to keep all ambulances functional and ready. Drivers have been asked to remain available so emergency transport can continue without interruption.
Medical stores have been told to maintain enough supplies for casualty departments and wards.
Officials responsible for general stores have also been instructed to ensure that emergency departments and wards have sufficient essential items.
The officer responsible for oxygen supplies has been directed to maintain adequate stocks of medical gases and remain available inside the hospital.
Emergency departments told to reserve beds
The emergency department has been placed on high alert with immediate effect and will remain prepared until further instructions.
Hospital authorities have directed the emergency department to reserve 10 beds for male patients and another 10 beds for female patients.
This means 20 emergency beds will be kept available specifically to deal with any sudden rise in patients.
The hospital has also been instructed to reserve two rooms in the Officer Ward for emergency use.
The arrangements are designed to give medical teams additional space if hospitals receive a large number of patients at the same time.
Such preparations can be especially important when large gatherings are expected because hospitals need to maintain regular services while also keeping additional capacity available.
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High alert to continue through September 30
The hospital instructions state that the high-alert arrangements will remain in place until September 30, 2026.
During this period, relevant officials are expected to remain accessible and ready to respond whenever required.
The preparations come as several political groups have announced marches or protest activities towards Islamabad.
PTI has announced a nationwide protest, including activity in Islamabad, for September 27. Jamaat-i-Islami has also announced a march towards the capital over its demands concerning the petroleum levy.
The reported hospital measures are therefore focused on emergency readiness rather than routine healthcare arrangements.
Hospitals prepare for possible patient surge
The latest instructions cover several areas at the same time, including emergency beds, blood supplies, ambulances, oxygen, medical stores and staff availability.
This allows hospital authorities to respond to different types of emergencies without waiting for additional arrangements to be made.
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital have also been placed on high alert, with instructions for critical services to remain operational and emergency arrangements to be maintained.
The wider security preparations in Islamabad include additional police deployment and measures around major entry and exit points as authorities prepare for the expected protest activities.
With hospitals also increasing their readiness, medical authorities are preparing for possible emergencies alongside the broader law-and-order arrangements.
