Panel for probing doctor's death at PIMS

A parliamentary panel on Wednesday recommended to constitute a committee to probe into death of a doctor due to burn injuries as he was allegedly not given proper treatment by the medics of PIMS Burn Center.

The committee which met here with Senator Khushbakht Shujaat took the case of a gruesome death of young 26 years old doctor from Nowshera due to negligence of the doctors at the Burns Care Center of Pakistan Institute of Medical Centre (PIMS).

The panel said that a committee would be formed to review the matter and report back to the panel in the next meeting.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza asserted that hospital reforms are essential to ensure that such issues do not arise in future.

He said that universal protocols must be followed and responsibility must be fixed. The committee stressed the need for formulating standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all medical issues.

The committee also discussed an adjournment motion regarding fake clinics and dispensaries operating in Pakistan, government plans to upgrade 30 hospitals to treat multi-drug resistant TB cases, a public petition regarding expiry of contract of working staff in Bone Marrow Transplant Unit in PIMS, a public petition regarding evening classes in medical universities and steps taken by M/O NHSR&C with reference to seasonal awareness and alert letter (SAAL) for epidemic-prone infectious diseases in Pakistan.

The adjournment motion regarding fake clinics and dispensaries was disposed of. A list of fake medical enterprises from all over Pakistan was submitted to the committee.

Discussing the plan to upgrade thirty hospitals to treat multi-drug resistant TB, the committee enquired the criteria for selection of the hospitals. The committee was informed that the project was being supported by the Global Fund for TB.

Regarding expiry of contract of working staff of Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of PIMS, the committee was informed that there are 21 posts that fall in this category.

The process for recruitment of grade 1-5 posts has been completed and for the remaining positions, candidates would have to qualify the Federal Public Service Commission examination. Deliberating over commencement of evening classes in medical colleges, the committee rejected the proposal unanimously. It was of the view that this would compromise the quality of education; endangering many lives. Discussing the steps taken by the M/o NHR&C with reference to SAAL for epidemic prone infectious diseases, the committee asked National Institute of Health (NIH) to submit measures taken to spread awareness during the dengue crisis. The committee was informed that NIH under the guidance of the ministry for the first time collected real time surveillance data on dengue.