ISLAMABAD, Aug 18: As many as 12 projects of Ministry of Capital Administration and Development (CAD) regarding up-gradation and enhancement of health and education facilities could not be approved by the planning commission (PC) due to which residents of federal capital will suffer, Dawn has learnt.

According to documents available with Dawn, projects include repair and maintenance of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) building. Establishment of mortuary facilities and replacement and purchase of machinery and equipment for Pims were also proposed by CAD.

Besides, establishment of psychological trauma centre and neurological disorder centre at Pims and purchase of equipment for National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) were also proposed.

Projects which were proposed for improvement of educational sector were strengthening and establishment of Islamabad Model School (IMS) for boys G-11/2, IMS for girls G-9/1 and IMS for girls I-10/2.

Besides, up-gradation of national special education centres for visually and physically handicapped students was also suggested.

A doctor of Pims requesting not to be identified said that at the moment availability of ventilators in critical areas (ICUs) is one of the biggest problems.

“So many times it happens that all the ventilators were occupied due to which patients died just because they could not be shifted on ventilator in time. So many times we sent the patients of one department to other departments just because of unavailability of ventilators,” he said.

“There are a number of machines out of order and even we have to cancel the operation because of lack of machinery and equipment,” he said.

A teacher of a school said that there are a number of schools which need to be upgraded but unfortunately decision makers have never given any preference to education sector.“By up-gradation of schools we can get rid off second shift in the city but government never takes those issues seriously,” he said.

Spokesman of Pims, Dr Waseem Khawaja while talking to Dawn said that there are so many problems in hospitals which need to be addressed.

“We are aware that government has been facing financial problems so we are trying our best to facilitate patients as much as possible, using the limited resources we have,” he said.

President of Tanzeem-e-Asataza Pakistan, Islamabad Chapter, Aziz Wahid while talking to Dawn said that unfortunately education has never been the priority of decision makers for the last 65 years.

“There is also a communication gap between education departments and finance division. During last three years, 8 Director Generals of Federal Directorate of Education have been changed and every DG tries to implement his own policy. So how can they take up the issue of education with other departments,” he said.

Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr Nadeemul Haq while talking to Dawn said that most of the departments have been continuously making projects and submitting them for approval.

“We also have limited funds so we have already suggested that departments rather than filing projects, should give proposals and after approval of proposals they can file projects. Those projects will be surely approved,” he said.