Federal Minister for Health, Makhdoom Shahabuddin has approved a proposal allowing National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease's (NICVD's) doctors and surgeons to practice privately, within the hospital premises, during evening hours. NICVD officials told APP on Wednesday that the federal minister in a meeting with the doctors and paramedics of the hospital said ministry of health was keen to start daily OPDs during evening hours too.
As for granting doctors and surgeons permission to run their private clinics, within NICVD premises in the evening, he said this would mainly facilitate the patients. Patients visiting the NICVD will be referred to regular OPDs, however, presence of senior professors and other senior doctors around would help doctors on duty at OPDs to seek guidance and support if needed. "This is in view of growing number of patients visiting major public sector hospitals almost round the clock," said the senior NICVD doctor in reply to a question. "Under the arrangement professionals practicing privately at NICVD would be entitled of 70 percent of their earnings while remaining 30 percent would be utilised for refurbishment of the NICVD," he said.