ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to overhaul systems at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, including fire safety arrangements, within three months, after a performance audit revealed stark compliance failures at the capital’s flagship public hospital.
A meeting chaired by the prime minister reviewed a roadmap for improving PIMS alongside the hospital’s inquiry report and a performance audit conducted by the Ministry of National Health Services, according to a statement issued after the session.
Audit Finds Compliance at 39.7 Percent Against 90 Percent Target
Officials told the meeting that the PIMS performance audit found only 39.7 percent compliance among the indicators assessed, far below the acceptable target of 90 percent. The findings underscore longstanding concerns about service quality, safety and governance at one of Pakistan’s largest tertiary care hospitals.
The prime minister directed that short-term measures recommended in the inquiry report be implemented within the next three months, and called for all possible steps to bring PIMS services in line with international standards.
Fire Safety Review Ordered With PKLI, WHO Input
Shehbaz directed PIMS management to seek assistance and recommendations from the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute regarding the hospital’s fire safety system. He also ordered authorities to review the recommendations contained in a World Health Organization report and ensure their implementation.
The prime minister said the improvement roadmap should include measures guaranteeing that medicines and other essential facilities are provided to patients free of charge.
Staffing Standards and Long-Term Plan
Shehbaz further directed that PIMS be staffed with personnel of good repute and ordered the preparation of a comprehensive long-term plan for the hospital’s improvement. Officials briefed participants on short-, medium- and long-term measures under consideration.
The meeting was also informed that 37 recommended measures identified in the PIMS inquiry report were being implemented on an urgent basis.
Polyclinic Audit and Capital-Wide Fire Safety Checks
Beyond PIMS, the prime minister 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 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 to ensure implementation of all necessary safety measures.
Senior Officials Attend Review Meeting
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.
