ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences has started referring serious gynaecological cases to hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi after the nursery fire killed 14 newborns.
Seven gynaecological patients and one child were shifted from PIMS to Holy Family Hospital for treatment.
A senior gynaecologist said the hospital maintained a no-refusal policy but needed time to repair and renovate the damaged nursery.
She said PIMS continued handling serious deliveries because referring every patient could overwhelm other hospitals.
Health secretary reviews PIMS operations
Newly appointed Health Secretary Mohammad Mehmood said he had begun efforts to introduce new technology and improve hospital infrastructure.
He also called for stronger governance and said he would spend most of his time at PIMS to understand its problems.
Mehmood said technology would allow him to manage ministry responsibilities while remaining at the hospital.
Meanwhile, Holy Family Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Ijaz Butt confirmed that four female patients had arrived from PIMS.
He said the hospital had enough capacity and had made special arrangements for patients transferred from PIMS.
The hospital prepared a separate ward and assigned doctors and nurses to care for the incoming patients.
Hospitals strengthen emergency arrangements
Butt said the hospital’s new building and equipment remained fully functional. He added that Rescue 1122 conducted its latest fire safety exercise on August 24.
Meanwhile, WASA plans to install water hydrants at six locations across Holy Family Hospital.
Benazir Bhutto Hospital has also established a special desk for patients referred from PIMS.
However, the hospital had not received any patients by Thursday, according to Medical Superintendent Dr Sharjeel Sheikh.
He said BBH would handle emergency cases from PIMS and had prepared its emergency department accordingly.
The hospital also inspected its firefighting equipment and found it operational. Its latest fire safety exercise took place on August 8.
