Health Minister Opposes Permanent Hiring in Govt Hospitals

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has suggested that government-run hospitals should not employ permanent staff, in the aftermath of the devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that claimed 14 newborn lives. During an interview, Kamal advocated for contract-based hospital employees managed by a CEO from the private sector.

He argued that permanent personnel become overly powerful, often leading to litigation when dismissed. Kamal argued that the only long-term solution to healthcare issues in the country is to appoint a private-sector CEO with complete authority over hiring and firing. This CEO would receive annual budget approval from the government and be fully accountable for performance and administration.

Kamal cited the PIMS fire investigation report, which found that the blaze only took 120 seconds to spread from the initial spark across the Mother and Child Health Centre. He also pointed to a fire in a PIMS nursing hostel a month prior, which he only learned about after the latest tragedy. He claimed that a short circuit caused the sofa fire, but the incident was not reported to the ministry and deemed minor. Kamal mentioned that an internal committee's report was submitted just a day before the latest tragedy.

Responding to rumors of his resignation, Kamal stated that the ministerial position meant little to him and that he had already accepted responsibility during an Assembly session. He emphasized that if he was willing to face accountability, so should others, even though he believed he was not responsible. Kamal criticized the PPP for attempting to link the tragedy with new administrative units, asserting that hospitals should be managed by local elected leaders.

He suggested that if Islamabad were a separate administrative unit with an elected mayor, that mayor should oversee such hospitals instead of the minister.

Kamal argued that hospitals should be run by elected mayors, not ministers. The new PIMS Executive Director, also CEO of the National Institute of Health, was appointed with the inquiry committee's recommendation. Kamal noted that many top officials at such institutions believe they are untouchable, as no outsider can replace them.

He stated that Dr Muhammad Salman, the new executive director, would prioritize patient safety upon taking office. Dr Salman visited various departments, reviewed arrangements, and held a meeting with department heads to discuss the situation. He emphasized that patient safety would be the top priority and that the inquiry committee's recommendations would be implemented promptly, focusing on preventing future incidents.

He also stated that other hazards would be reviewed, and the heavy patient load would be managed, with a strengthened referral system to improve patient management.