ISLAMABAD, March 25: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has sought a Rs39 million grant from the government to upgrade hospital facilities, an official source told Dawn.

“We have received Pims request to provide the required amount to improve general cleanliness and other facilities. The request is under process,” a senior health ministry official conceded.

The official, however, did not comment as to when the amount would be released, adding that the ministry had also asked the Federal Government Services Hospital to use its Rs1.7 million unutilized funds for the upgradation of the hospital facilities.

Health minister Mohammad Nasir Khan, during one of his visits to the hospitals of the federal capital, had expressed his dismay over the state of affairs. He had directed the respective managements to immediately improve the general environment of the hospitals.

When asked as to how the amount would be utilized, if and when sanctioned by the government, a source at Pims said the first thing would be white wash of the entire hospital.

The management’s apathy could be gauged from the fact that the Children Hospital of Pims has been awaiting white wash for the last 12 years.

In addition to white wash, the walls of all the toilets of general wards will be lined with tiles. Similarly, taps and old water pipes will also be replaced. At present, the bathrooms of general wards are in worst condition.

The false ceiling, which has been damaged at several places due to leakage, giving an ugly look, will also be repaired.

The source said the amount would be used for repair of hospital beds. The nursing stations in all the wards will also be improved.

The source said Pims might get an enhanced budget for the financial year 2003-04. An amount of Rs400 million was sanctioned for the hospital during the current fiscal year. Out of this amount, about Rs60 million was utilized to pay electricity charges.

Similarly, Rs60 million was spent on essential medicines, including chemicals for laboratory equipment. A major portion of the amount was utilized to pay salaries and allowances of the hospital staff, leaving a paltry amount of Rs2.1 million for general maintenance, which was not sufficient.

The source said the hospital management had started improving the condition of Nephrology Medical Ward-I by doing vinyl flooring and improving toilets.