PIMS arranges extra emergency beds

Islamabad : The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), which should remain in a state of high alert every single day to be able to better cope with its patient load, has canceled the leaves of all its employees and has instructed them to remain ‘available and alert’ in case of any unforeseen eventuality.A decision to this effect was taken on Wednesday during an emergency meeting held under the chairmanship of the hospital’s Executive Director Dr. Raja Amjad Chaudhry. The meeting was later joined by Minister for Health Aamir Mehmood Kiani who took stock of the emergency arrangements in place at PIMS.“There is a high alert in the hospital and no leave is permissible till further orders,” reads an official document. While arrangements have been made to increase the number of emergency beds, the meeting also decided to convert the new emergency into a ward for 40 patients requiring minor surgeries. “Ten beds of pre-Cath lab. and 15 beds on the 1st and 2nd floor will be available for emergency,” the note states.Dr. Tariq Iqbal and Dr. Zofishan Jabeen have been entrusted with managing the Burn Care Centre and Dr. Razzaq Soomro with the Childrens’ Hospital. Blood stocks will be made available to meet any emergency situation. Fuel will also be made available for 4-5 days in all clinical components of PIMS, and 17 ambulances will be kept in a state of preparedness with drivers.Meanwhile, the Accounts Department has been instructed to ensure the availability of Rs. 5-10 lakh for purchase of essential items in case of emergency.The administration will ensure the availability of staff nurses, student nurses, and CMT students residing in hostels, should the need arise. All lights, except emergency lights, will be remain switched off. The meeting decided to have the Deputy Executive Director as the focal person.Truth be told, the corridors of PIMS remain as over-crowded even on an ordinary day as one would expect in the eventuality of war. As such, PIMS should remain on high alert throughout the year, and not merely in exceptional or unforeseen circumstances. A new emergency unfolds in this hospital every single day but the cries of the patients are seldom heard.PIMS has the worst conceivable appointment system. Having an appointment slip does not guarantee that you will be examined the same day. Take the example of the MCH Centre, where appointment slips are issued to every patient reaching the OPD till 9.30 a.m., or at best, till 10.30 a.m. The number may run into 350 or more. However, the moment clinic timings end, the doctors leave, and all those who had been waiting since morning are left with no choice but to return home dejected. And then new slips are issued the next day, so you only have to be lucky to be examined by your doctor.This is just one small aspect that needs to be streamlined for the convenience of poor patients who travel long distances on foot or in public transport to reach the hospital. Is there any rocket science involved in issuing appointment slips to just as many patients as can be examined on a given day? Perhaps there is!

from The News International - Islamabad https://ift.tt/2HdnQ8y