ISLAMABAD: Services at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) seemed to be at a standstill since Wednesday night after PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s chief of staff Shahbaz Gill was shifted there from jail.

Patients suffered throughout the day as security was enhanced and PTI leaders visited the hospital and held media talks.

Things are going to be further worsening from today (Friday) as employees of the hospital, who have been protesting against the Medical Teaching Institution (MTI), on Thursday announced to close all the departments apart from emergency.

A senior doctor of the hospital, wishing not to be quoted, said Mr Gill was shifted to Pims on Wednesday night and was suffering from from sever anxiety, tension and distress.

Patients suffer due to presence of PTI leaders visiting their ‘ailing’ colleague

“Although he has asthma since childhood, it is not severe. Oxygen was being administered to Mr Gill when he was brought to the hospital. Some tests were conducted and it was found that there were some minor changes in the ECG. Although Mr Gill could have been released at that time, it was decided to retain him in the hospital as tension can lead to a sudden emergency,” he said.

The doctor said that after three hours even the ECG was perfect. Moreover, around 25 tests, including for Covid-19, were conducted and the reports were quite satisfactory, he added.

Replying to a question, he said: “initially a four-member board, headed by Dr Shajee, was constituted. The board had doctors of medicine, surgery, neurosurgery and orthopaedics. Later, a cardiologist and a pulmonologist were co-opted in the board. The board has been considering discharging Mr Gill as he is medically fit.”

However, when contacted, Director Hospital Dr Khalid Masood said that the board was fully empowered to decided about retaining or discharging Mr Gill.

“There is no interference or pressure on the board and it will take a decision considering the condition of the patient,” he said.

Meanwhile, patients suffered throughout the day at Pims as security was enhanced and leaders of PTI visited the hospital and held media talks.

Those who visited the hospital included Senators Faisal Javed, Wasim Shehzad, Shibli Faraz and Azam Swati. However, police did not allow them to meet Mr Gill saying he was on physical remand.

Employees’ protest from today

The employees of Pims have decided to protest against the MTI from today (Friday). They said all departments apart from emergency will be kept closed.

The employees’ leader Chaudhry Qamar Gujar said the hospital will remain closed till the bill, suggesting repealing of the MTI, is passed from the Senate.

Dr Haider Abbasi said that on the one hand the government has promised to repeal the MTI and on the other it was allowing the management to take decisions with impunity.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2022