PIMS gets board of governors under MTI

Health ministry says new system will improve standard of services

ISLAMABAD:

The first meeting of the board of governors (BOGs) designated duties under the controversial Medical Teaching Institute (MTI) Act was held at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) chose Dr Humayun Mohmand as the board chairman on Wednesday.

The ministry of National Health Services on Wednesday said that the health delivery system will further improve in Pims with the implementation of MTI Act. The act was imposed to enhance the performance and standard of federal government hospitals.

According to ministry's spokesman, the government was committed to ensure provision of quality medical services to people at hospitals and innovative steps are being taken in that regard.

He said that the ministry has started reformation in health sector on the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to make improvements in this sector. The government was taking measures to ensure the provision of the best healthcare facilities to the people.

The spokesperson refuted the propaganda against MTI and said that it will not affect the cost of treatment. Instead, the imposition of the Act was in the largest interest of people.

Best healthcare facilities were the right of every person and the poor people would still get it free at the largest health facility of the capital.

The official said that MTI would protect the rights of employees too for which they would have to join it. Those who want to stay as civil servants would remain while the federal government hospitals would be improved as per modern standards.

He said that the performance of hospitals will improve with MTI and people will get better health services at the public hospitals. All deserving and poor patients will be able to receive quality services, he added.

He said that the uninterrupted quality free medical services will be provided at emergency while the MTI will also protect the rights of workers.

He said that the MTI will be applicable only on those employees who will join it while those who will not join it, will continue to work as civil servants. He said that better future opportunities will be available for hospital staff with this system.

Meanwhile, the medical and paramedical staff of Pims on Wednesday continued their protest in favour of their demands to review the government’s decision to impose MTI Act.

Addressing the protesters, speakers were of the view that if their demands are not accepted by the concerned authorities there will be a complete strike.

They also urged for reviewing the decision about MTI Act what they claimed for better functioning of the hospital matters.

The protest was attended by doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff. Meanwhile due to protest of doctors a large number of patients suffered a lot in getting their treatment.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2020.