PMA Urges Punjab Govt to Conduct Urgent Rooftop Safety Audit Ahead of Basant

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan
Lahore: The President of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Prof. Shahid Malik, has called upon the Chief Secretary Punjab to immediately conduct a comprehensive safety audit of rooftops of all government hospitals, medical colleges, hostels, and other public buildings across the province.
In a formal appeal, Prof. Shahid Malik highlighted serious safety concerns, stating that boundary walls on the rooftops of many institutions are dangerously low — approximately two feet in height — posing a significant threat to human life. He warned that individuals sitting or standing near the edge face a high risk of falling, which could result in fatal accidents.
He emphasized that the minimum height of rooftop boundary walls should be raised to at least four feet, with an additional two-foot iron grill installed on top to ensure maximum safety. According to him, such preventive measures are essential to safeguard lives in hospitals, educational institutions, and other government facilities.
Prof. Malik further noted that these precautions are especially critical in view of the anticipated Basant festival, during which a large number of people gather on rooftops for kite flying. He stressed that strict safety measures must be enforced not only in government buildings but also in private structures to prevent any untoward incidents.
The Pakistan Medical Association has urged the Punjab government to issue clear directives to all relevant departments and ensure immediate implementation of safety standards to protect citizens across the province.