Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Mr. Syed Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the completion of Phase-I of the upgradation of the Cardiac Centre at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), marking a significant milestone in the development of the country’s healthcare infrastructure. During his visit to the premier public-sector tertiary care hospital, he also launched the Patient Facilitation Assistant Service within the PIMS Emergency Department to enhance patient guidance and service delivery.
According to Press Information Department, the Federal Health Minister emphasized the pivotal role PIMS plays as the largest referral hospital serving not only Islamabad but also regions including Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He highlighted the hospital’s substantial daily patient engagement, with an influx of 7,000 to 9,000 patients, and when including attendants and family members, catering to between 30,000 and 40,000 individuals daily.
Minister Kamal pointed out that the overwhelming patient load on public teaching and tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan primarily stems from the inadequate functioning of the primary healthcare system. He underlined the necessity for primary healthcare facilities like Basic Health Units (BHUs) to effectively manage common ailments to alleviate the pressure on major hospitals such as PIMS.
In response to these challenges, the Minister announced the revitalization of 28 Basic Health Units in Islamabad to fortify primary healthcare, reduce the burden on tertiary hospitals, and ensure healthcare accessibility closer to people’s homes. He also unveiled the newly upgraded Cardiac Centre at PIMS, a Rs. 7.2 billion facility featuring an advanced cardiac machine, providing free treatment for heart disease patients.
Minister Kamal advocated for a comprehensive approach to healthcare, emphasizing disease prevention, a robust primary healthcare network, public awareness about healthy lifestyles, and family planning as essential components. He underscored that the responsibility for disease prevention extends beyond the Ministry of Health, necessitating a coordinated national effort.
The Minister highlighted that approximately 68 percent of diseases in Pakistan are linked to contaminated water, making it imperative for local governments to ensure access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation. He called for empowering local governments with necessary authority and resources to improve public health and healthcare accessibility at the community level.
Concluding his address, Syed Mustafa Kamal reiterated the importance of an effective local government system for resolving public issues efficiently and enhancing trust in healthcare initiatives like immunization programs. He emphasized that sustainable public service delivery requires the devolution of authority and resources to local governments, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services for all citizens.