Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered authorities to improve systems at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), including fire safety arrangements, within three months. Shehbaz chaired a meeting to review a roadmap for improving PIMS, the hospital’s inquiry report and a performance audit conducted by the Ministry of National Health Services. The prime minister directed officials to implement short-term measures recommended in the inquiry report within three months. He also called for all possible steps to improve PIMS and bring its services closer to international standards. Shehbaz directed PIMS management to seek technical assistance and recommendations from the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute on the hospital’s fire safety system. He also ordered officials to review recommendations in a World Health Organization report and ensure their implementation. The prime minister said the improvement roadmap should include measures to provide medicines and other essential facilities to patients free of charge. Karachi Rain PMD forecasts thunderstorms from September 14 He also directed the hospital administration to appoint staff with good reputations and ordered officials to prepare a comprehensive long-term plan for PIMS. Shehbaz further ordered an audit of Polyclinic Hospital. He directed authorities to address any irregularities and prepare a restructuring plan. The prime minister instructed the Capital Development Authority to ensure that all public and private hospitals in Islamabad comply with fire safety requirements. He also directed the CDA and other relevant institutions to conduct fire safety audits of government and private offices and buildings. Authorities must ensure that all necessary safety measures are implemented after the audits, he said. Officials from the Ministry of National Health Services briefed the meeting on measures underway to improve PIMS and bring its services closer to international standards. According to the briefing, a PIMS performance audit found compliance of only 39.7% across the assessed indicators. The acceptable target stands at 90%. Officials also said 37 measures identified in the PIMS inquiry report were being implemented on an urgent basis. The meeting reviewed short-, medium- and long-term measures aimed at improving hospital services and management. Federal ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahsan Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and Syed Mustafa Kamal, Special Assistant Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath and senior officials attended the meeting. Post navigation Karachi Rain PMD forecasts thunderstorms from September 14
