Islamabad, In a decisive meeting aimed at advancing healthcare service quality, Secretary of the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination (NHSR and C), Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, directed the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMs) to upgrade its service delivery standards and ensure the constant availability of medical staff and resources. This initiative addresses critical human resource gaps and reinforces disciplinary measures among medical professionals.

According to Press Information Department, during a session focusing on the administrative and financial aspects of PIMs, along with its performance evaluation, the Secretary engaged with officials from both the ministry and the hospital. The discussions revealed significant staffing challenges amplified by the high patient volumes from Islamabad and beyond. Shallwani’s directives aimed at accelerating the recruitment for crucial roles, including professors and nursing staff, to mitigate these pressures.

Additionally, the Secretary voiced concerns over the engagement of government-employed doctors in private practice and unauthorized overseas travel. He advocated for stricter oversight, suggesting doctors provide affidavits to demonstrate the personal funding of their foreign trips, enhancing their accountability and focus on patient care. Emphasizing professional integrity, Shallwani mandated comprehensive reporting on disciplinary actions within PIMs and called for increased efforts to improve patient services, especially during the upcoming Ramadan period.

These measures reflect a targeted strategy to bolster healthcare efficiency and integrity, addressing both immediate operational challenges and broader issues of professional conduct within the sector.