ISLAMABAD: Seven projects, including installation of incinerators, a liver transplant centre and a cancer hospital, have been finalised to revamp and extend Pims after the Supreme Court’s intervention.

The projects were finalised after detailed collaboration between Prime Minister’s Secretary Fawad Hasan Fawad, officials from the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) ministry and the Pims management.

The SC has been pushing the government to address issues at Pims and provide basic healthcare to people who cannot afford treatment at private hospitals or abroad.

According to documents signed by Mr Fawad that are available with Dawn, short and long-term strategies have been devised to address the hospital’s issues.

Two incinerators will be purchased for the capital, as hospitals in the city lack such a facility. The government of Punjab, which recently agreed to purchase 28 incinerators, will be asked to purchase 30 – two of them for the capital – at already finalised terms and conditions.

Projects include installation of incinerators, liver transplant centre, cancer hospital

Pims Executive Director Dr Raja Amjad told Dawn that the Punjab government has been buying incinerators in bulk for nominal prices and completed the tendering process, which was why it was decided to ask them to buy two more incinerators that will be fixed in Islamabad.

“Moreover, Rs665 million have been approved for an air conditioning system for the hospital, so work will be started soon. As far as the liver transplant centre is concerned, it will become functional within three to six months; it has been decided in principle to appoint two surgeons at the market-based salaries of Rs2m and Rs1.5m per month to start liver transplants,” he said.

Six doctors and six nurses will also be sent to the United Kingdom to be trained in liver transplants.

Dr Amjad said the doctors would be sent for training after signing agreements or bonds, so they are not able to quit their jobs and work at private hospitals.

“Otherwise, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council will be contacted to suspend their licences so they are not able to work within or outside the country,” he added.

In addition, efforts are ongoing to sign a memorandum of understanding with Chinese or Turkish hospitals so their team can come here and carry out liver transplants, he said.

Dr Amjad said it has been suggested that a consultant be hired for the cancer hospital project.

The SC will be asked to nominate a retired judge to ensure transparency in the project.

“Moreover, it has been decided that the hospital will be revamped with the cost of Rs200m. A [Japan International Cooperation Agency] team will visit Islamabad from May 7 to 14 to discuss the extension of the children’s and main hospital,” he said.

“It has been decided to construct a women’s hostel and if the proposal to provide Rs70m would be approved, stents will be provided for free at the Cardiac Centre for the month of Ramazan,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2018