ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to build a 200-bed trauma centre at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims). Besides, work on the 200-bed Polyclinic extension in G-11/3 will also be expedited.

According to a document, 40pc of the patients come to Pims from Islamabad and Rawalpinid while 60pc from other parts of the country including Punjab, Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

When contacted, spokesperson for Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) Sajid Shah said being a tertiary care hospital, Pims received a large number of patients suffering from chronic diseases or injuries. “Therefore, expansion in emergency services was required,” he added.

“The government’s decision to constitute Board of Governors (BoGs) at Pims has started yielding results as the board has made it possible to take the decision about the centre and implement it without any delay,” he said.

Work on Polyclinic extension project to be expedited

When asked how funds would be arranged, Mr Shah said Pims had sufficient funds to start projects.

“In the past, such projects were delayed due to red-tape. That is why Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan was in favour of the BoG and delegated powers of the ministry to the hospital; now the board can use and shift funds from one account to another and can ensure timely completion of projects,” he said.

Replying to a question on Polyclinic extension project, the spokesperson said: “Land has been allocated and construction of the 200-bed hospital would start soon. Once it is ready, people from the capital’s Zone-II would be able to easily access the hospital instead of visiting Pims and Polyclinic,” he said.

Polyclinic was established as a pioneer services hospital in 1966 under the name Central Government Hospital with only eight beds for emergency, surgery, medicine and gynaecology.

At the moment there are almost 550 beds dedicated to primary, secondary and tertiary curative care services.

In 2008 the government decided to construct a building on one third of Argentina Park’s land, which is located in front of the hospital but later due to various reasons, including litigation, the idea was dropped and it was later decided to build the hospital’s building in G-11/3.

PRCS provides ambulances to motorway police

Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to launch a road safety initiative to help reduce deaths and injuries on the motorway.

According to a statement, Minister for Communications Murad Saeed was the chief guest on the occasion.

PRCS Chairman Abrarul Haq, Communications Secretary Zafar Hassan and NHMP IG Kaleem Imam were present on the occasion.

The MoU was signed by PRCS Acting Secretary General Dr Adeel Nawaz and NHMP IG Kaleem Imam.

Under the initiative, PRCS has provided eight fully-equipped ambulances to the NHMP for deployment on M-2 besides first aid kits for delivery of emergency medical and relief services to commuters in case of any traffic accident.

The PRCS will also impart free of cost first aid training to NHMP staff and raise awareness among the public about road safety.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2021