ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Friday visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad and inspected facilities at the hospital’s Cardiac Centre and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), expressing serious concern over shortages and poor maintenance.
During his visit to the Cardiac Centre, the minister inspected the electrophysiology catheterisation laboratory and spoke to patients about the difficulties they were facing. He directed hospital staff to ensure the provision of quality medical care.
Kamal issued strong instructions to the hospital administration, saying employees who were not performing their duties should be removed immediately.
“No one will be allowed to damage the system,” the minister said, stressing that the administration must take decisions instead of allowing problems to persist.
He also directed the newly appointed Executive Director of PIMS, Dr Salman, to complete pending tasks promptly, noting that he had been in the position for four days. The minister also took notice of complaints regarding a shortage of beds at the Cardiac Centre.
Kamal said he would personally visit PIMS regularly, stressing that the issue involved people’s lives. He also directed doctors to avoid harsh behaviour with patients and suggested bringing in outside experts to train medical staff on appropriate patient interaction.
The minister expressed anger over the deteriorating condition of private rooms in the cardiac ward, pointing out damaged walls and criticising the administration for merely repainting them instead of properly addressing maintenance issues.
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During his subsequent visit to the ICU, doctors raised several complaints, including the availability of only 10 beds, a shortage of staff and inadequate fire-safety arrangements.
Doctors told the minister that despite repeated complaints, additional beds had not been provided and much of the ICU equipment had become unusable. They said that in an emergency, staff had only cylinders available to deal with a fire.
Kamal directed the PIMS administration to remove incompetent employees and replace them with capable personnel. He said the hospital had no room for favouritism and instructed the administration to remove underperforming staff in phases while ensuring that competent people were appointed in their place.
“Decisions are not being taken, and this is damaging the entire system,” the minister said, directing the administration to take immediate corrective measures.
