The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has ordered hospitals throughout the province to make sure doctors, paramedical staff and other workers wear designated uniforms while on duty, aiming to improve infection prevention, patient safety and accountability.
The order, issued under Section 4(2) of the PHC Act 2010, covers every healthcare facility that has more than 30 beds. PHC places the responsibility on these facilities to supply suitable attire to the listed staff categories and to bar work without it.
According to the directive, janitorial and sanitation personnel must receive standard uniforms, doctors are to be given overalls, and staff working in operation theatres or rooms for specialised procedures must get specific kits. Paramedical workers are also required to wear standard uniforms.
The commission warned that the rule should not be seen as a mere administrative formality, stating that uniforms are intended to raise healthcare standards, aid infection control and help patients distinguish between different types of medical staff.
PHC also urged hospitals to adopt a "bare below elbow" policy during patient care to enhance hand and forearm hygiene and limit the spread of microorganisms during clinical procedures.
Facilities are expected to embed appropriate infection-prevention practices in their institutional arrangements. The commission added that scrubs and white coats must stay within hospital grounds to avoid carrying contaminants into public areas.
Healthcare establishments were further encouraged to consider colour-coded uniforms for various professional roles, making it simpler for patients and visitors to identify doctors, paramedical staff and other personnel, especially in emergency and outpatient departments.
