ISLAMABAD: Around 10,000 patients would suffer daily as the employees of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Thursday decided to discontinue all indoor services as a part of their ongoing protest against the medical teaching institution (MTI) ordinance.

However, they said the Covid-19 and emergency wards would remain open.

Moreover, Senate Standing Committee on Interior Chairman Senator Rehman Malik took notice of the privatisation of Pims and sought a report from the secretary Ministry of Interior along with comments from the secretaries health and Privatisation Commission.

President Dr Arif Alvi promulgated the MTI ordinance last month under which the hospital will be run through a board of governors (BoG). A few days ago, not only the BoG was announced but Dr Humayun Mohammad was also elected as its chairman.

However, the employees have rejected the ordinance, terming it an attempt to privatise the hospital.

Grand Health Alliance Chairman Dr Asfandyar Khan on Thursday announced discontinuation of services and said the protest would continue till the withdrawal of the ordinance.

The employees marched to the office of the vice chancellor (VC) Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University and surrounded it as a meeting of the BoG was held inside. They announced that the office will be locked if again the BoG would a meeting there again.

Meanwhile, Senator Rehman Malik said said Polyclinic and Pims were established to cater to residents of Islamabad and government employees.

He said privatisation of Pims will deprive government servants and residents of Islamabad and surrounding areas of their basic right to the health facility.

Senator Malik said the government has taken the decision to privatise Pims without approval of parliament and the Senate standing committee on interior will look into reasons and background behind the move.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2020