Govt decides to urgently address shortage of engineering, technical staff at Pims

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Monday decided to urgently address the shortage of engineering and technical staff at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) as part of efforts to improve efficiency in the health system following a tragic fire incident that killed 14 infants.

The meeting was held after the federal government announced steps to address technical issues and hold those responsible accountable for the fire at the Pims Mother and Child Health Centre.

According to the health ministry, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal chaired the meeting, which was attended by senior officials from the ministry, the Pims administration, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other relevant departments.

During the meeting, officials briefed the minister on the status of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system at Pims’ Mother and Child Health Centre, which was affected by the recent fire.

CDA officials said work on the HVAC system had been disrupted because the building had been temporarily closed as part of an investigation into the incident.

Kamal directed the health secretary to immediately contact the relevant authorities and finalise a timeline for handing over the affected building so that restoration work could resume without delay.

The health minister further said suitable engineers and technical experts from the surplus pool created following the abolition of the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) should be utilised to address the shortage at Pims.

It was also decided that the health ministry would write to the Ministry of Housing and Works for the deployment of suitable engineers, technical experts and other relevant staff at the hospital.

“The strengthening of the technical workforce is necessary to ensure uninterrupted and safe healthcare services for patients and newborns,” Kamal said.

IHRA starts assessment of Pims

The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has begun a comprehensive assessment of the hospital’s facilities and services, according to the health ministry.

During a separate meeting, the health minister was also briefed on a visit by IHRA technical experts to Pims as part of an assessment of the hospital’s performance, facilities and services against prescribed standards.

“The experts are reviewing clinical, surgical, medical, radiology and administrative departments, with the hospital’s performance being assessed against various indicators,” the health ministry said.

The ministry said the IHRA team would prepare recommendations aimed at improving Pims’ functioning, raising service standards and modernising the hospital.