In order to reduce increasing burden on health facilities of the Federal Capital's two major medical institutions, government has decided to upgrade and reactivate three dispensaries out of total 26 operating in Islamabad. Federal Secretary Health Syed Anwar Mehmood told reporters here on Saturday during a press conference at Islamabad Club. Despite having adequate facilities, trained staff and necessary infrastructure, all these dispensaries have been non-functional and failed to deliver since their establishment, secretary health pointed out.
In first phase, the health ministry has chosen three dispensaries like G-7/3, F-6 and I-8/1 that would be upgraded at their existing buildings to somewhat reduce burden on Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Federal Government Services Hospital (Polyclinic).
Under the new plan, the said dispensaries would now perform function from 8:30 am to 9:30 pm, which were previously working from 8:30 am to 4 pm.
The x-ray, ECG, modern equipment for testing and consultant facilities to be provided at these three dispensaries, Anwar Mehmood said adding we have also planned to give them the status of mini hospitals to entertain local patients at their doorstep.
Secretary health also announced that G-7/3 medical dispensary would be made 20-bed hospital from January 1st while Aapbara dispensary would also get 45-bed latest hospital to facilities the residents of respective sectors.
The Aabpara mini hospital is likely to start providing health services to public from January 6 or 7, he further added.
The government has also approved an emergency plan to set up 25-bed hospital at I-8 dispensary under its up-gradation scheme. Initially the hospital is being established at the rented building, Anwar Mehmood said adding however the ministry is to again get back the plot for the purpose, which was cancelled by the CDA due to non-payment of dues.
To facilitate the people from rural areas, secretary said the federal government has made a comprehensive plan under which the National Institute of Health (NIH) would be converted into 50-bed full-fledge medical institution. The new NIH hospital would have OPD facility to be run as satellite PIMS's administration.
We have enough and required medical infrastructure there, however secretary said that PC I has been sent to the federal government for staff provision and its training.
Originally NIH was built as regular hospital, which was later started acting as allergy treatment institute. He said that it is likely that plan will be materialised during current fiscal year.
Responding to a question, Syed Anwar Mehmood said that Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences would have a state-of-the art central pathology laboratory that will provide all facilities under one roof. The lab will also save people of the federal capital from rushing to Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIT) Rawalpindi and Agha Khan Hospital Karachi to conduct medical tests, he said.
As per another plan, a common modern ambulance service is being launched in Islamabad that would provide service to PIMS and FGSH in case of any emergency. During the first phase, the centre would be able to get at least 25 to 30 Mercedes ambulances alongwith a hotline service.
Syed Anwar Mehmood in replying to a question maintained that pace on development work is being accelerated on construction of Quaid-e-Azam Post Graduate Medical College (QPGMC), Burn Unit and modern cardiac centre. We have also working to upgrade QPGMC to Quaid-e-Azam Health University.
Secretary also announced setting up Thelesemia centre at PIMS for which required infrastructure is being developed and it would start operation from January 12.
More than 100 specialist doctors, consultants and assistant professors are being appointed to avoid continued shortage of doctors at the Capital's major medical institutions due to which patients are badly suffering.
Besides OPD patients, ministry of health has allowed private practice at PIMS to facilitate indoor patients during evening timings, he remarked.
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