Committee tasked with examining PIMS’ technical capacity since 2022, patient referrals, departmental coordination and any financial impact on the public hospital
LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the non-functional or unavailable CT coronary angiography facility at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad and ordered an inquiry to determine the facts and responsibility.
The prime minister has constituted an inquiry committee headed by the secretary of the Establishment Division. Other members include the secretary of the National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division; Brig. Dr. Jahanzeb Ali of AFIC; Dr. Nusratullah Chaudhry; Prof. Dr. Nadeem Hayat Malik; Brig. (retd.) Dr. Azmat Hayat of PIMS; and Umar Farooq, a CT angiography technician at AFIC.
The committee may include additional members if required. It has been directed to examine whether PIMS had the technical capability to conduct CT coronary angiograms since 2022 and whether the required technical facilities, human resources and software were available.
It will also review the number, dates and nature of CT coronary angiography procedures performed at PIMS since 2022, along with relevant hospital records and documentary evidence.
The committee will examine the referral mechanism and coordination between the cardiology and radiology departments, as well as the role of hospital administration.
It will further investigate whether cardiology patients were routinely referred to private medical centers for CT coronary angiography, whether any particular private institution was given preference and how much business or revenue may have been diverted from the public hospital to private facilities.
The inquiry will also assess any lack of coordination, mismanagement or misunderstanding between the two departments and determine whether these issues caused harm to the public interest.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the committee to submit its report after a comprehensive review of all relevant facts and records so that further action can be taken in accordance with law and rules.
The National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division will provide assistance to the committee during the inquiry.
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