Health minister and secretary to operate from PIMS, PM directs

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and Acting Federal Health Secretary Capt (retd) Muhammad Mahmood to work from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on alternate days to monitor the hospital’s affairs following the deaths of 14 newborns in a nursery fire on August 26.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and Acting Federal Health Secretary Capt (retd) Muhammad Mahmood to work from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on alternate days to monitor the hospital’s affairs following the deaths of 14 newborns in a nursery fire on August 26.

This was decided after a high-level meeting on the health sector chaired by the prime minister. Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said he would monitor medical affairs, patient care and healthcare delivery at PIMS, while the acting health secretary would oversee administrative as well as medical matters. The instruction is aimed at ensuring direct political and administrative supervision of the country’s largest federal public-sector hospital.

The fire killed 14 of the 15 newborns in the nursery. An interim inquiry remained inconclusive about the source of ignition, but said there was a possibility of an internal electrical or equipment-related failure. The inquiry identified serious shortcomings in fire-safety arrangements, emergency exits, evacuation planning, emergency notification, firefighting preparedness, staff attendance and coordination between hospital departments and security personnel.

Following the inquiry, the prime minister ordered the suspension of eight officials, including PIMS Executive Director Prof Dr Rana Imran Sikandar, joint executive directors, senior neonatal department officials, a security official and the head of CDA’s emergency services. Federal Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri was also removed from his post in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. Capt (retd) Muhammad Mahmood, a BS-21 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, was subsequently given additional charge of the health secretary’s post for three months or until the new permanent appointment is made.

Mahmood had earlier established a tent office on the PIMS premises to monitor the hospital’s functioning, address administrative problems and hear complaints from patients and staff.

Under the new arrangement, the minister and acting secretary will work at PIMS on alternate days. The prime minister has directed that those responsible for the nursery fire face departmental as well as criminal proceedings, while immediate measures are taken to prevent similar tragedies at PIMS and other public hospitals.

The hospital is criticised over weak governance, fragmented administrative control, staff shortages, poor maintenance, delayed procurement, security issues and disputes involving employees and professional groups.

The government is also considering improvements, including the establishment of an independent board of governors for PIMS to improve governance and accountability. A permanent governance structure may require legislation by parliament, officials said.