Islamabad: A subcommittee will present proposals for running the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) under different governance models to the PIMS reforms committee on Tuesday, Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said on Monday.
One proposal is to establish a Board of Governors (BoG) to oversee the hospital and hire an independent chief executive officer from the market to run its affairs, the minister said.
Under the proposed arrangement, department heads would be given some administrative freedom, while the board and new management would have the authority to recruit staff according to the hospital’s requirements.
“As per the proposal, the next hiring in PIMS would not be on a permanent basis. The next hiring would be on a contractual basis,” Kamal said.
He said the service interests and rights of existing employees and civil servants would be protected, adding that they should not worry about their future.
The proposals will be considered by a committee formed on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review PIMS’s administration, medical services and governance.
At its first meeting on October 7, the committee reviewed healthcare delivery, patient safety, facilities and infrastructure. It also discussed options for restructuring the hospital and creating a transparent governance framework supported by a clear legal and administrative basis.
Those attending the meeting included Kamal, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Establishment Secretary Barrister Nabeel Awan, Additional Attorney General Chaudhry Amir Rehman and Higher Education Commission Chairman Syed Tariq Rafi. Additional Secretary Health Liaquat Ahmed, retired Maj Gen Dr Azhar Mahmood Kayani, PIMS Executive Director Prof Dr Tanwir Khaliq and Joint Executive Director retired Brig Azmat Mahmood were also present.
Kamal said that if the committee accepts the BoG proposal or another option, it will be sent to the prime minister. If Shehbaz Sharif gives the go-ahead, the existing law will be amended to enable the administrative changes at PIMS.
The committee was formed after a fire at the hospital’s neonatal nursery on August 26 killed 14 newborns. The tragedy prompted an inquiry and a broader review of PIMS’s management, safety arrangements and delivery of care.
A subsequent performance audit found that the hospital met 39.7 per cent of the indicators assessed, against a benchmark of 90 per cent.
Kamal also said PIMS’s new 200-bed emergency and trauma centre would become functional within a few days. Staffing shortages would be addressed through a private company, he said.
Preparations include transferring equipment from the existing emergency department and completing staff training and other operational arrangements. The new facility is designed to include surgical and medical intensive care units and operating theatres.
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