By Our Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD, Sept 16: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed authorities to complete proposed short-term measures for improving the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), including fire safety arrangements, within three months.
He was chairing a meeting on a roadmap for improving Pims, where the findings of an inquiry into the hospital and the Ministry of National Health Services’ performance audit were reviewed.
The prime minister directed that all short-term recommendations contained in the inquiry report be implemented within the stipulated three-month period and called for measures to bring Pims in line with international standards.
He also directed authorities to seek technical assistance and recommendations from the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) on strengthening fire safety systems at Pims and to consider and implement recommendations contained in a World Health Organisation report.
The prime minister said the roadmap should include measures to ensure free availability of medicines and facilities at the hospital. He also called for the appointment of personnel with good professional reputations and directed the preparation of a comprehensive long-term plan for the hospital’s improvement.
According to the briefing, the Pims performance audit found only 39.7 per cent compliance against the acceptable benchmark among the indicators assessed, with the hospital required to significantly improve its performance.
The meeting was informed that work had begun on 37 immediate measures recommended in the Pims inquiry report. Officials also briefed the prime minister on short, medium and long term measures.
Shehbaz Sharif also ordered an audit of the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital, removal of irregularities and preparation of a plan for its restructuring.
He directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to ensure compliance with fire safety measures at all public and private hospitals in Islamabad and conduct fire safety audits of government and private offices and buildings.
The premier stressed that fire safety measures must be implemented in all offices and buildings across the capital.
Federal ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attaullah Tarar and Syed Mustafa Kamal, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath and senior officials attended the meeting.
