ISLAMABAD, Jan 12: The Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) MNA, Mian Mohammad Aslam, has expressed concern over non-availability of life saving drugs to patients in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

The MNA was visiting the Pims to look into public complaints against the institute.

On the occasion, he also held a meeting with the hospital management and expressed displeasure over a general impression that patients have to get recommendations from influential people or bribe concerned officials to get necessary medical treatment.

The MNA said, despite being a reputable institute, the hospital building was in a very bad condition.

The chief executive director Pims, Prof Dr Azhar Mehmud Qureshi, attributed the bad shape of hospital to paucity of funds.

However, he said the public complaints would be redressed soon and status of the hospital would be restored as the government had committed to release more funds for the purpose.

Meanwhile, the MMA leader said work on the project of setting up a medical college in Islamabad would be initiated soon.

He said establishment of the college was a long-standing demand of the people as students had to visit other cities to pursue medical education.

Mian Aslam said the proposed college would start functioning during the current year in collaboration with the Pims. Budgetary grant for the project will be provided by the federal government, he added.