ISLAMABAD: Employees of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Wednesday called off the two-hour strike they were holding daily on the hospital’s premises.

The announcement was made after a meeting which was chaired by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza.

Doctors, nurses and paramedics of Pims were observing strike in the outpatient department (OPD) of the hospital, from 8am to 10am daily and were holding protests against the government plan to run the hospital through Board of Governors (BoG).

They were of the view that they were not against reforms but would not accept any move to convert the hospital into Medical Teaching Institution (MTI).

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of National Health Services, the meeting was held between all Pims Employees Restoration Movement and officers of the ministry.

“It was attended by MNA Ali Nawaz Awan, Health Secretary Dr Allah Bakhsh Malik, Joint Secretary Saeedullah Khan Niazi, former Pims ED Dr Fazal-i-Hadi and others.

It was mutually agreed that Pims Reforms Act 2019 would be discussed with all the stakeholders in the best interest of employees of Pims and excellent service delivery to the public,” it states.

“Until talks are being held, the Pims management will not proceed any further on Pims Reforms Act 2019. The strike is called off with immediate effect. The SAPM assured that government does not have plans to introduce Ordinance of Pims Reforms Act 2019 at this stage,” it states.

Moreover, the committee shall meet on weekly basis under the chairmanship of SAPM.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2019