ISLAMABAD, Dec 28: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) is all set to start Federal Medical College within a few weeks though some consultant doctors have expressed concern over the development, Dawn has learnt on Tuesday.

Sources in Pims said some faculty members of the hospital had raised concerns over the establishment of the medical college arguing that it would degenerate the efficient working of many departments in the hospital.

An official close to the development said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had already approved the establishment of the medical college and the process of getting recognition from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) had also been initiated.

He said the college would initially be set up on the premises of Pims while 10 acres would be allocated for it at the National Institute of Health (NIH).

“The hospital management along with Secretary Establishment Khushnood Lashari, head of the selection committee, conducted interviews of almost 200 candidates for appointment of the college faculty,” he said.

The official said professors, associate professors, assistant professors and demonstrators having experience in the teaching of anatomy, biochemistry, forensic medicines and other subjects related to basic sciences appeared in the interviews for the 30 posts. “After getting accreditation from the PMDC, initially 50 students will be given admission to the college,” the official said.

When contacted, the executive director of Pims, Prof Mehmood Jamal, said the new medical college would enhance the standard of medical education in Pakistan.He said the interest shown by a good number of professors appearing in the interviews would be a great boost to the establishment of the college. Prof Jamal added: “Pims medical college will be first of its kind as we are offering maximum disciplines under one roof and that too with practical exposure while patient care will also definitely improve.”

He said establishment of the college would never affect the working of the hospital departments as they were running independently.

The hospital has been facing patients' pressure but still the services of all the departments are above average, he claimed. The college, he said, had nothing to do with the working of the departments' instead faculty members would have an added advantage to teach the students.