PM Shehbaz directs PIMS to improve fire safety, systems within three months

A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reviewed a roadmap for improving PIMS, along with the hospital’s inquiry report and a performance audit conducted by the Ministry of National Health Services. The prime minister directed authorities to ensure implementation of the short-term measures recommended in the inquiry report within the next three months.

He also called for all possible steps to improve PIMS and bring its services in line with international standards. Shehbaz directed PIMS management to seek assistance and recommendations from the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) regarding the hospital’s fire safety system.

He also ordered authorities to review the recommendations contained in a World Health Organization (WHO) report and ensure their implementation. The prime minister said the roadmap should include measures to ensure that medicines and other essential facilities are provided to patients free of charge.

He also directed that PIMS should be staffed with personnel of good repute and ordered the preparation of a comprehensive long-term plan for the hospital’s improvement. Shehbaz further directed authorities to conduct an audit of the Polyclinic Hospital, address irregularities and prepare a plan for its restructuring.

He instructed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to ensure compliance with fire safety measures at all public and private hospitals in Islamabad. The CDA and other relevant institutions were also directed to conduct fire safety audits of government and private offices and buildings and ensure implementation of all necessary safety measures.

The meeting was briefed by the Ministry of National Health Services on steps being taken to improve PIMS and bring it up to international standards. Officials said the PIMS performance audit found only 39.7 percent compliance among the indicators assessed, against an acceptable target of 90 percent.

The meeting was also informed that 37 recommended measures identified in the PIMS inquiry report were being implemented on an urgent basis. Officials also briefed the participants on short-, medium- and long-term measures for improving the hospital.

Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahsan Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and Syed Mustafa Kamal, Special Assistant Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.