The newly appointed Executive Director of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Dr Muhammad Salman, has pledged to strengthen hospital safety measures.
As many as 14 newborns lost their lives in a recent fire at Pims nursery.
Speaking to reporters after taking charge on Sunday, Dr Salman said the Pims administration would address the shortcomings identified in the inquiry committee’s report and take steps to improve patient safety.
Dr Salman assumed the position after the government suspended several officials in connection with the August 26 fire in the gynaecology ward, which killed 14 infants. Pims officials said 15 newborns were present in the nursery when the fire broke out, with only one infant surviving.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reviewed the incident at a high-level meeting on Saturday, during which the inquiry committee presented its interim findings.
The PM ordered the immediate suspension of eight officials named in the report, including former Pims Executive Director Professor Dr Imran Sikandar, and directed that disciplinary proceedings be initiated against them.
Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori had also been suspended earlier by the PM over the incident.
Dr Salman, who also serves as chief executive officer of the National Institute of Health in Islamabad, has been assigned to Pims as executive director on a three-year deputation.
uring his media briefing, Dr Salman said his administration would focus on improving healthcare delivery and ensuring greater protection for patients.
“We are making efforts and will have to provide better and faster services,” he said.
He noted that the hospital had witnessed two recent incidents and said a comprehensive strategy would be developed to reduce the likelihood of similar events in the future.
Dr Salman said measures would be introduced to improve facilities and services for those seeking treatment.
He added that the hospital administration would also engage with the relevant ministry to secure improved facilities and resources for patients.
