Health minister opposes ‘permanent’ staff in public sector hospitals

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has proposed a radical overhaul of public sector hospitals in Pakistan, suggesting that no permanent staff should be employed and all staff should be hired on a contract basis under a CEO from the private sector. The idea was presented in the wake of a tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) that claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies.

Kamal argued that permanent employees were too powerful and prone to litigation, and that only a CEO with full hiring and firing authority could effectively manage the hospitals. He suggested that the CEO should report directly to him and get their annual budget approved by the government.

The suggestion came after Kamal learned of a fire in a Pims nursing hostel around a month ago, which he said was not reported to the ministry at the time. He maintained that the previous executive director had formed a committee to investigate the incident, and that report was submitted just a day before the latest tragedy.

Kamal also criticized the current system, saying that ministers should not be responsible for running hospitals, but rather an elected mayor or his team. He proposed that if Islamabad were a separate administrative unit, its elected officials should handle hospital management.

The new Pims ED, Dr Muhammad Salman, was appointed after relaxing the rules on bringing in outsiders. Upon taking charge, Dr Salman vowed to prioritize patient safety and implement the recommendations of the inquiry committee. He also pledged to strengthen the referral system to improve overall hospital management.