Islamabad: The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has completed an initial assessment of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), identifying irregularities in several departments following a devastating hospital fire that killed 14 infants.
According to Health Ministry sources cited by ARY News, deficiencies were detected in the hospital’s administration, nursing, clinical and biomedical departments.
The preliminary assessment report is expected to be presented to Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, after which instructions will be issued for improvements at the government hospital.
The assessment was carried out under the supervision of IHRA experts, with specialists in surgical, medical, administrative, nursing and biomedical fields participating in the inspections.
The team examined the entire PIMS building, including its heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system and medical gas supply lines.
The assessment follows disciplinary action against officials held responsible after an inquiry into the deadly fire.
Dr Muhammad Salman, Chief Executive of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has been appointed the new Executive Director of PIMS on deputation for three years. He will continue to serve as NIH chief executive while holding the additional position.
PIMS ENT specialist Dr Altaf has meanwhile been appointed Joint Executive Director.
The appointments came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday approved the suspension of eight officials in connection with the fire, including PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr Imran Sikandar.
Others suspended were Joint Executive Directors Dr Mutahir Shah and Dr Owais Shah, Neonatal Department head Professor Dr Saadia Riaz, Senior Registrar Dr Naghma, Dr Noshila Amjad, Assistant Director Security Muhammad Usman and CDA Emergency Services Director General Dr Abdul Rehman.
Authorities also approved action against the private security company providing services at PIMS and its officials.
The prime minister additionally approved the conferment of the Sitara-e-Khidmat on a nurse who risked her own safety while attempting to save a child’s life during the fire.