Punjab Specialized Healthcare Department has finally issued directives to dispatch medical teams from teaching hospitals to flood-affected districts, 24NewsHD TV reported on Monday.
A decision to effect comes after a week-long delay, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the response.
According to the official notification, all teaching hospitals have been instructed to form medical teams comprising assistant and associate professors, senior registrars, as well as nurses and paramedical staff.
The teams are to include physicians, surgeons, and pediatricians to address the pressing health needs of flood survivors.
However, the directive has drawn criticism from the general masses for excluding gynecologists from the teams, a decision seen as particularly concerning given the large number of women among the flood victims who may require urgent reproductive and maternal healthcare.
Health experts argued that such an omission could leave a critical gap in the medical services being provided in affected areas.
Teaching hospitals have been told to determine the nearest flood-hit districts themselves and send their teams accordingly.
The belated instructions are being perceived by many as a mere formality, or "box-ticking exercise," rather than a timely and comprehensive plan to address the health crisis triggered by the flood waters.
The experts said the department’s delayed and selective approach reflected a lack of urgency in dealing with the medical needs of flood victims struggling in affected areas.
Reporter: Zahid Chaudhry