ISLAMABAD: Like the lawyer community in September, journalists have also become entitled to free medical treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) and will be treated in the same category as grade 18 and above government officers.

Due to the decision, around 2,800 members of the National Press Club (NPC), as well as their parents, spouses and children will benefit.

Pims administrator Dr Altaf Hussain told Dawn that there are currently three types of patients who receive medical treatment at Pims.

“Entitled patients are those whole have been working in government offices. They do not have to pay for operations, laboratory tests or other hospital services. The second category is of deserving patients, who file their cases in the Pakistan Baitul Mal and receive funding for treatment.

“The third category is of those who belong to the middle class, but have to pay laboratory fees and for operations. Despite facing financial problems, middle class [patients] do not like to go to the Baitul Mal because of embarrassment; they get loans rather than receiving aid from Baitul Mal, and sometimes it becomes impossible to return the loans,” he said.

“We want to provide the middle class with the opportunity of medical treatment. Moreover, the judiciary, parliamentarians and the bureaucracy are currently entitled, but the fourth pillar of the state – the media – was not entitled. Because of this decision, [they] will become entitled.”

In response to a question, Dr Hussain said all NPC members will have to obtain cards from the hospital, which will be issued after their particulars have been verified from the NPC.

“Currently, 150 cards have been issued and others will also be issued as soon as journalists submit their applications to us,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2017