Employees of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Monday demanded to pass the amendment bill pending in the Parliament with an aim to separate hospital (PIMS) from Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU). Dr Asfandyar Khan, Chairman PIMS Restoration Movement while addressing a press conference at the National Press Club said that PIMS should be separated from the SZABMU and declared as a attached department for teaching purposes under the control of Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD).
He said that an amended bill moved by MNA Tahir Iqbal for the separation of PIMS from the SZABMU is pending in the parliament. Due to delay in the passage of the amendment bill PIMS condition is deteriorating day by day, he said. "Neither any new equipment in Out Patient Department (OPD), In-doors, Diagnostic Area has been installed nor has the old machinery been repaired since the establishment of PIMS," he said, adding that as a result the suffering and miseries of patients have increased manifold.
He said that the Vice Chancellor SZABMU Professor Javed Akram has never ever made a round of these departments to see the sufferings of patients. On the contrary, he is always busy in the University affairs, he said. Khan alleged that PIMS budget is being used for the University affairs such as for the VC's salary, transportation, Petrol, Gas and Electricity bills etc. Similarly, the subordinates of the VC is also availing numerous facilities beyond their entitlement for which immediate audit is very much necessary. He demanded that the amendment bill be passed during the upcoming meeting of Standing Committee and the snatched rights of civil servants must be restored immediately. PIMS must be entered in Schedule-III otherwise the leadership of PIMS Restoration Movement will take up other options including shutting down of OPD services at an initial stage and closer outdoor services from August 22.