ISLAMABAD: Security arrangements at Polyclinic are being enhanced with the hiring of 70 new guards and the installation of CCTV cameras and walk-through gates.

On February 14, Dr Shahid Nawaz, the head of the cardiology department at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), was shot by two armed men on the premises of the hospital.

The injured doctor was later shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) where he died on February 20.

After the incident, the Ministry of Interior and the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) decided to enhance security in all the government hospitals and provide weapons to the security guards.

The boundary walls of the hospitals are also being enhanced up to eight feet.

Executive Director Polyclinic Dr Zahid Hussain on Tuesday told a news conference that immediately after the incident at Pims security audit was conducted at Polyclinic and a number of security measures were initiated in consultation with the district administration.

He said three walk-through gates had been installed in the hospital and another three would be put in place soon.

Under new arrangements, 70 guards being appointed, CCTV cameras being installed

“It has also been decided to appoint 70 male and female security officials for the hospital and dispensaries working under Polyclinic. There are already 10 CCTV cameras in the hospital but six more would be bought,” he said.

Dr Zahid said Iqrar Shah would work as the chief security officer of the hospital.

He said the height of the hospital’s boundary wall had been raised.

A media committee, headed by Dr Zulkifal Awan, has been set up to facilitate the mediapersons in case of an emergency.

In reply to a question, Dr Zahid said the hospital building was very small due to which the management was facing problems to ensure its security.

“There are roads on all the four sides of Polyclinic and the boundary wall is located on the rear side of the building. So we are trying to resolve the issue by extending the hospital to the Argentina Park,” he said.

He said the Planning Division had allocated Rs55.32 million for the extension of Polyclinic. Though a plot has been allotted to the hospital, so far the Capital Development Authority has not given its possession to the hospital, he added.

“As soon as we get the possession of the plot, we will start the construction of a parking area in the park as according to the PC-I, the basement of the new building will be used for parking,” he said.

About the fake degree of the hospital’s deputy executive director, Dr Fayaz Sheikh, Dr Zahid said degrees and files of Dr Fayaz had been handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

It may be noted that Dr Sheikh had claimed that he had completed his master in public health (MPH) from Thailand but there was no stamp of the university on the degree.

The FIA is holding an inquiry into the matter.

Dr Zahid said he had sent a letter to the ministry of CADD seeking its opinion on suspending Dr Fayaz because only CADD can take such an action against officers in grade 17 and above.

Published in Dawn February 25th , 2015

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