ISLAMABAD: Irritated by the presence of police officials at the emergency department, doctors and staff members of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) have once again submitted applications to remove the police personnel.

However, Pims Vice Chancellor Dr Javed Akram said that even though police officials have been removed twice in the past, they are called back because they are needed for medico-legal certificates, among other matters.

Police officials are stationed at hospitals in order to report injuries that are sustained in accidents or fights. They are also required to make medico-legal certificates and provide security in case of any incident involving physicians and patients’ visitors.

However, staff members and doctors have complained about these officials, who sit within and outside the emergency department, claiming that they force doctors to make illegal certificates and inconvenience the staff.

An application filed by chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Mohammad Fayyaz that is available with Dawn, says that a police official entered the room while Dr Fayyaz was treating a patient and threatened him. Dr Fayyaz has asked the hospital management to take action against the official.

Another application available with Dawn, by Pims staffer Allah Nawaz, alleged that police officials abuse hospital staffers, and have set up a taxi stand in front of the emergency department that prevents ambulances from parking there. Dr Akram said he has received these kinds of applications all year.

“During the last two years we removed police officials from the hospital twice, but it is a fact that we need them for security and other cases in which medico-legal certificates are made, so they are called to the hospital again,” he said.

“We contacted the police, and the matter was also raised with the Islamabad chief commissioner. A proposal was floated to make a police chowki within the hospital’s boundaries, but we rejected it because that would create more problems.”

Mr Akram said they then contacted the sector in-charge of the Rangers in Islamabad, Brig Hammad Arshad, who provided Rangers personnel for the hospital’s security. “Currently, two Rangers vehicles remain in the hospital,” he said.

“I have also suggested that doctors develop good working relations with police officials, because both are necessary for the hospital.”

Senior Superintendent of Police Sajid Kiani said that while he was not aware of any recent complaints, this takes place when police officials strictly enforce rules.

“We rotate security officials from time to time, but officials from 15 remain for longer periods of time because they develop contacts, and that makes it easier for them to gain information in case of an accident or emergency,” he said.

“I also tighten my staff whenever a vehicle is stolen from Pims – there is a paid parking system in the hospital, and vehicles should not be stolen. Because of m directions, officials have started asking about guests of doctors’ and the staff, due to which [the Pims staff] file complaints against police officials.”

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2016