Separation of PIMS from SZABMU demanded

Islamabad

A resolution for separation of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) from Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) and restoration of the hospital to its original status was unanimously passed during a general body meeting held at PIMS here on Tuesday.

The meeting was convened in a hall jam-packed with senior and junior doctors, nurses, paramedics, non-medical and engineering officers, and staff of PIMS. The meeting was convened under the aegis of the PIMS Restoration Movement (PRM), which is chaired by Dr. Asfandyar Khan.

The participants unanimously concluded that protest was the only remedy left for them to pressurise the government to pass the amendment bill (submitted in the National Assembly around two years ago) for separation of PIMS from SZABMU. They warned that if practical measures for passage of the amendment bill are not immediately instituted, extreme steps would be taken with effect from August 15, 2016. “A variety of protest strategies are included in the agenda of PRM,” Dr. Asfandyar maintained.

The participants alleged that the university administration is playing politics and is not paying heed to their longstanding demand. “The administration’s hypocritical attitude has compelled us to change our posture by resorting to protests. The university administration has been lying to PIMS employees about the amendment bill for over two years now,” one of the speakers alleged.

PRM Vice Chairman Zameer Naqvi said, “We all stand united and will leave no stone unturned for restoration of PIMS.” Having shared details of the steps taken so far in this regard, he expressed that the university administration has never taken the issue seriously enough, and has been playing with the sentiments of PIMS employees.

Head of the Department of Medicine at PIMS Prof. Jamal Zafar pointed out that the faculty of PIMS has been restraining from protests to protect their students and patients from needless suffering. “However, we now feel compelled to seek relief through protests and similar measures,” he added.

Many doctors and staff members alleged having been threatened of dire consequences for participation in PRM. Dr. Asfandyar warned the university administration to desist from threatening and pressurising faculty members and staff of PIMS, failing which “serious steps will be taken.” He stated that nobody is against the university. “However, we will not let poor patients suffer in an autonomous corporate body,” he stated.

Representatives of all cadres including Dr. Mutahir Shah, deputy director of OPD at PIMS, said patient services have taken a nosedive ever since the establishment of SZABMU. Substantiating this view, the president of PRM Sharif Khattak maintained that the university administration gives least priority to patient services. “The funds available to PIMS are being utilised for all sorts of activities other than patient care. We will not let this state of affairs continue any further,” he warned.

PRM General Secretary Riaz Gujar maintained that those affected by the merger would not shy away from offering any kind of sacrifice in the way of their movement for restoration of PIMS.

High-sounding slogans expressing the determination of the protestors were raised at the close of the meeting.