Dr Salman takes charge as PIMS executive director

The federal government has formally issued a notification suspending Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Executive Director Prof Dr Rana Imran Sikandar for four months following the deadly neonatal ward fire.

According to the notification, Dr Sikandar, a Grade-21 officer, has been removed from his post for the specified period.

Dr Mohammad Salman of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been appointed as PIMS executive director for three years. He will continue serving as executive director of NIH alongside his new assignment.

The government has also appointed Dr Altaf Hussain as PIMS joint executive director for three months. Separate administrative notifications have been issued regarding other senior positions at the hospital.

The action follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to suspend eight individuals and initiate departmental and criminal proceedings over the PIMS tragedy, in which 14 newborn babies died in a fire at the neonatal ward.

The officials facing action include PIMS Executive Director Prof Dr Imran Sikandar, Joint Executive Directors Dr Mutahir Shah and Dr Owais Ali Shah, neonatal department head Dr Sadia Riaz, senior registrar Dr Naghma, Dr Nousheela Amjad, Assistant Director Security Mohammad Usman and Capital Development Authority Emergency Services Director General Abdul Rehman.

The government has also approved action against the private security company deployed at PIMS and its officials.

The suspensions and administrative changes were ordered after an inquiry into the fire identified serious concerns regarding safety arrangements, emergency preparedness and the response to the incident.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that those found responsible for criminal negligence face legal proceedings without any concession.

The inquiry committee is continuing its investigation to determine the precise cause of the fire and establish individual responsibility. Its interim findings highlighted shortcomings in fire safety procedures, emergency preparedness and evacuation arrangements at the hospital.