RMC and allied hospitals yet to finalise security arrangements

Rawalpindi
The administrations of Rawalpindi Medical College (RMC) and allied hospitals have taken some special security measures to secure their premises. However, the security arrangements planned by the RMC and allied hospitals after the terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar on December 16, 2014, are yet to be finalised.
The raising of the boundary wall by two feet is in progress at the RMC while one of the allied hospitals, Holy Family Hospital, has yet to award contract for raising of its wall. The allied hospitals have not hired security personnel through private security companies as yet as was planned after the terror strike in Peshawar.
The Holy Family Hospital has taken a number of security measures to secure its premises, however, the security arrangements are yet to be finalised, admitted Additional Medical Superintendent (Administration) at HFH Dr. Tariq Masood Niazi when contacted by ‘The News’ on Tuesday.
He said that like Benazir Bhutto Hospital and District Headquarters Hospital, the HFH has established a security room where a security supervisor would remain present round the clock to monitor security situation in the hospital. Cemented blocks have been placed to make zigzag entry points on the road leading to the hospital premises while only a single entry and exit point is being operated for vehicles, he added.
To a query, he, however, admitted that the hospital employees have been given responsibilities of guards for the time being and trained security personnel are yet to be hired by the HFH. "We have written to the RMC principal's office to allow us hiring of trained security guards through private security company," said Dr. Niazi.
He said that CCTV cameras have already been installed in almost every ward and department of the hospital apart from a number of points around the main buildings of the HFH. The main focus of the hospital is to enhance security of its premises and work for the purpose is being on urgent basis, he claimed.
He said the guards employed at the entry point of the hospital have been provided with metal detectors for search purposes, while razor wire up to two feet height has also been installed at the boundary wall of the hospital.
He said that every building of the hospital, including administration block, outpatient department, accident and emergency department and doctors’ hostel would have only one entry point that would also serve as exit point. Every entry point is being secured by at least one security guard round the clock, he said.
When asked, he said, at present, the guards and ‘chowkidars’ already employed at the hospital are serving as security personnel, however, trained security personnel would be hired soon.