LHC orders Punjab to end parchi system in government hospitals in four weeks

The Lahore High Court has directed the Punjab government to abolish the traditional slip, or parchi, system for patients in all government hospitals across the province within four weeks.

According to the reports, patients arriving at emergency and outpatient departments should not be made to stand in long queues at registration counters to obtain slips. They should receive immediate examination and treatment instead.

The written order was issued on a petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel. Express News named the judge as Justice Javed Iqbal Venus, while Daily Pakistan gave the name as Justice Malik Javed Iqbal Wains.

The court directed the Punjab Health Department to introduce an effective, technology-based patient management and registration system in public hospitals.

The court also asked the department to submit a comprehensive report on basic medical facilities in government hospitals, their quality, and the steps taken to improve them.

Daily Pakistan reported that the petition, which concerns the lack of basic medical facilities in government hospitals, has been pending since 2020. It said no party had submitted an implementation report despite several court notices and directions. The court observed that the continued failure to comply reflects a negligent attitude on the part of the officials concerned.

Special Secretary Health Nabila Irfan told the court that the slip system would be abolished within four weeks.

The authorities were ordered to submit detailed implementation reports at the next hearing, after four weeks. The court warned that action, including legal action, may be taken against officers who do not carry out its orders.