ISLAMABAD: In an unprecedented move, over 300 doctors and nurses of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) have been promoted in the next basic pay scales (BPS).

Chairman of Young Consultants Association Pakistan Dr Asfandyar Khan said the promotions could not have been possible without efforts of the Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Dr Faisal Sultan, Federal Secretary (Health) Amir Ashraf Khawaja and Additional Secretary Nabil Awan and it has put an end to apprehensions of employees.

It is worth mentioning that during November 2020, President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi had promulgated the Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Ordinance. According to the initial draft, the hospital’s Board of Governors (BoG) was to deal with all affairs of Pims once it became an MTI. The members were appointed and notified by the Ministry of Health on the recommendation of a search and nomination council. The BoG had overall superintendence and control over the functions of the hospital. It had power to appoint deans, the hospital director, medical director, nursing director and finance director of the hospital.

Employees had held a number of protests and strikes against the BoG, as they believed that they will lose their status as civil servants.

The ministry had assured them that they will not lose their status.

The departmental promotion committee (DPC) chaired by Additional Secretary Nabil Awan has promoted over 300 doctors and nurses of the hospital.

According to documents, available with Dawn, two senior doctors Amir Maqbool and Fouzia Sabhi have been promoted in BPS 20.

As many as 29 doctors have been promoted as assistant professors and senior registrars and 70 medical officers have been placed in BPS 18. More than 200 nurses have been promoted from BPS 16 to 17 and from BPS 17 to 18.

Dr Khan said employees were thankful to the management of the hospital.

“Dean of MTI Prof Rizwan Taj also supported promotion of all the consultant nurses and other staff of Pims. We congratulate all young consultant nurses and all supporting staff on their well deserved promotions”, he said.

Meanwhile, president of Young Consultants Association Pakistan Dr Hamid Butt said it was a major development for employees and hoped that the government will ensure that all grievances of employees, across the country, will be addressed.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2021