ISLAMABAD: The employees of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Tuesday decided to suspend all services, except in Covid-19 wards and the emergency unit, from Wednesday (today).

The employees took the decision after the government ignored their demand to withdraw the Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Ordinance promulgated by President Dr Arif Alvi last month.

Holding a protest on Tuesday, the employees announced to close outpatient departments (OPDs) of Children Hospital and Mother and Child Hospital (MCH) from Wednesday.

They also announced that no new admission would be allowed in wards. However, those already admitted will be treated till they are discharged. They also decided to halt all elective surgeries due to which patients who had been given dates many months ago will suffer.

The protesters said as every doctor was bound to treat emergency cases, the emergency department and Covid-19 wards would remain open to treat the patients.

Young Consultants Association of Pakistan Chairman Dr Asfandyar Khan told Dawn that the employees wanted reforms but would never allow privatisation of the hospital in the name of reforms.

Addressing a gathering at Pims, Dr Khan said the employees had given the government a deadline of three days but nobody took it seriously.

“We went on a token strike of two hours daily but even then the government showed no concern. Now we have been left with no option but to go for the complete closure and total withdrawal of services. From Wednesday, kitchens, stores, administration, MCH, engineering department and all other offices will remain closed.”

He said if Pims was converted into an MTI, it would be run through a board of governors (BOG).

Grand Health Alliance spokesperson Dr Hyder Abbasi said they tried their best to avoid a protest but the government remained insensitive to the issue.

Another leader of the alliance, Riaz Gujjar, said all employees of Pims were united and would go to any extent to get the ordinance withdrawn.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2020