The federal government has decided to restructure the administration of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, with plans to introduce a system based on the Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) model.
Reportedly, the proposed changes will require amendments to the existing PIMS Act. The hospital would be managed through a Board of Governors made up of professionals from different fields.
Sources in the Ministry of Health said the chairman of the proposed board would be appointed from the market, to bring professional management into the hospital and improve its administrative system.
A Board of Governors generally has greater authority over management, finances and institutional decisions, under an MTI-style system. Similar boards at MTIs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa oversee strategic policy, senior management and financial matters.
Committee given timeframe for recommendations
A committee headed by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has also been formed to oversee the proposed administrative reforms.
The committee includes the law minister, vice chancellors of medical universities and health experts. It has been asked to prepare recommendations for amendments to the PIMS Act within 15 days.
A separate special committee has already submitted its findings and recommendations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The prime minister has also issued directions regarding the hospital’s management and future administrative structure.
Earlier, a 20-member PIMS Reform Committee was formed on the prime minister’s instructions. It included leading health experts from both public and private sectors and was tasked with reviewing the hospital’s management and operations.
Reforms follow deadly PIMS fire
The reform process gained urgency following a deadly fire at PIMS on August 26. The incident killed 14 newborn babies and raised serious questions about hospital management and safety.
Eight officials, including the executive director of PIMS, were suspended. Criminal proceedings were also initiated against the suspended officials.
The Ministry of National Health Services later published a final PIMS inquiry report in September.
PIMS is also facing other administrative challenges. A report published on October 7 said the hospital was dealing with procurement problems that could affect supplies of free medicines and other essential items.