ISLAMABAD: Just after taking charge, newly appointed Federal Health Secretary Nadeem Mehboob on Monday visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) to take stock of the hospital’s administrative and operational challenges, growing patient load and preparations to make its new emergency department functional.
During the visit, the secretary reviewed the availability of staff against the increasing number of patients visiting the country’s one of the largest public-sector hospitals.
He also examined ongoing development schemes and matters relating to the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
The secretary visited the new emergency department and reviewed preparations for making the facility operational. The hospital administration briefed him on the facilities currently available and the steps being taken for recruitment of staff required to run the new emergency.
The secretary directed the administration to accelerate measures for operationalising the facility, saying administrative and operational issues at Pims should be addressed on a priority basis.
He also called for further improvement in medical facilities and hospital management, with particular emphasis on effective human-resource management in line with established standards.
The health secretary directed officials to ensure maximum facilities for patients and the general public, stressing that the hospital’s resources should be managed effectively to meet the growing demand for healthcare services.
Pims Executive Director Tanwir Khaliq, Joint Executive Director and heads of various departments accompanied the secretary and briefed the secretary about the hospital’s operational matters and ongoing initiatives.
Arthroplasty Workshop Concludes
Meanwhile, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Pims organised a two-day live knee and hip arthroplasty workshop.
The workshop aimed to enhance the surgical skills of orthopaedic surgeons, postgraduate trainees and fellows in joint replacement surgery. Renowned national and international arthroplasty surgeons participated as faculty.
The first day featured live total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures, while the second day focused on live total hip arthroplasty (THA).
The programme also included hands-on sessions, interactive case discussions, lectures on recent advances, an introduction to robotic and computer-assisted arthroplasty, and direct interaction with the operating faculty.
Chief Guest Prof. Dr. Shahid Noor, from Karachi, emphasised that such academic activities were essential for strengthening surgical expertise and providing state-of-the-art joint replacement services at public-sector hospitals such as Pims.
Prof. Dr. General Sohail Amin, Organising Chairman, President of the Arthroplasty Society and Vice Chancellor of Rawalpindi Medical University, highlighted that hip and knee arthritis were a major cause of disability in Pakistan. He stated that the workshop aimed to train young surgeons according to international standards, enabling patients to access high-quality, affordable joint replacement surgery within the country.
Course Coordinator Associate Professor Dr. Asfandyar Khan, Head of the Orthopaedic Unit at Pims, emphasised the vital role of such workshops in training young consultants in arthroplasty. He acknowledged the leadership and support of Prof. Ali Shami and Dr. Faridullah Khan Zimri in making the event possible.
The workshop attracted 120 participants, including orthopaedic surgeons, postgraduate residents and medical students from across the country.
Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2026
