PIMS patients given surgery dates as late as 2030 as Senate Committee raises alarm

Patients at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) are reportedly receiving surgery dates as far away as 2030 prompting serious concerns among lawmakers about hospital management, outdated equipment, patient care and delays in infrastructure improvements.

ISLAMABAD: Patients at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) are reportedly receiving surgery dates as far away as 2030 prompting serious concerns among lawmakers about hospital management, outdated equipment, patient care and delays in infrastructure improvements.

The issue emerged during a meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights which examined newborn deaths at the Islamabad hospital alleged administrative shortcomings and measures required to prevent future incidents.

PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr Tanwir Khaliq informed the committee that the Islamabad Hospital building which began operating in 1986 and the Children’s Hospital constructed in 1988 require extensive renovation including the replacement of ageing electrical wiring. He said the necessary documents had been submitted to the relevant ministry but the work would require substantial funding and a formal tendering process.

Committee members also questioned how previous funding including assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had been utilised. Concerns were raised about whether some advanced medical equipment supplied to the hospital remained operational. Khaliq said his team was reviewing the equipment and conducting financial and other audits.

Lawmakers demanded a transparent examination of earlier spending recovery of public funds if wrongdoing was established and action against officials responsible for any irregularities.

Following a fire incident PIMS reported several safety measures including 19 fire safety training sessions and mock drills conducted with the Capital Development Authority. Around 2,000 employees participated while 700 additional fire extinguishers were installed. Technical inspections of existing fire alarms were also underway alongside recommendations for replacement alarms and smoke detectors.

The hospital established a risk management committee on October 15 to identify hazards and monitor corrective measures. Emergency exits and evacuation routes were reviewed and an evacuation plan for the Maternal and Child Health Centre was prepared. Coordination with Rescue 1122, police and fire services has also been strengthened.

PIMS further reported progress on a neonatal nursery at the MCH JICA extension. However, officials gave differing figures about its capacity with the executive director saying the facility currently had eight beds and was being expanded.

Concerns over essential medicines and surgical equipment also surfaced. Khaliq said annual spending on medicines exceeded Rs3 billion against an estimated requirement of Rs5 billion. He acknowledged continuing shortages of operating theatre supplies and said laparoscopic surgery was not being performed at the expected level.

The committee criticised the lengthy surgical waiting periods and called for better equipment stronger accountability and improved hospital services. PIMS also outlined a proposed governance structure involving a Board of Governors a chief executive and professionally trained administrators, with a 60-day timeline for the reforms under discussion.