Health Minister Advocates for Contractual Employment in Public Hospitals Following Tragic Fire

In the wake of a devastating fire that resulted in the deaths of 14 newborns at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Health Minister Mustafa Kamal proposed a controversial approach to hospital staffing. During an interview with Geo News, he argued against permanent positions for government hospital employees, advocating instead for a system of contract-based employment.

Kamal emphasized that the existing permanent staff often wield excessive power and complicate management decisions, particularly during dismissals that lead to litigation. He proposed that hospitals should be overseen by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from the private sector, who would have the authority to hire and fire staff based on performance.

“Whoever performs and works should remain, everyone else should be let go,” he remarked, suggesting that a CEO should manage hospital affairs with accountability and annual budget approvals from the government.

Highlighting the urgency of reforming the healthcare system, Kamal pointed to the recent inquiry report concerning the fire incident, which revealed that the blaze spread rapidly within just two minutes. He expressed concern over a prior fire incident in a nursing hostel that had gone unreported, indicating a lack of communication regarding safety issues within the hospital.

Despite facing criticism and calls for his resignation, Kamal stated that he takes responsibility as the minister, even asserting that he is not at fault. He noted that he had previously offered to resign but was advised to remain until the investigation concludes. He criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for politicizing the tragedy and insisted that the management of PIMS should fall under the purview of an elected mayor to ensure accountability.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Executive Director of PIMS, Dr. Muhammad Salman, pledged to prioritize patient safety following his recent appointment. After taking charge, he inspected various departments and assured that he would implement the recommendations from the inquiry committee to prevent future incidents. Dr. Salman acknowledged the challenges posed by the hospital's heavy patient load and expressed his commitment to improving management and safety measures.

Source: www.dawn.com