MRI-related issues at PIMS, Polyclinic discussed
The deaths, including 16 infants, were reported in Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Hospital in Maharashtra, India. PHOTO: ANADOLU AGENCY
The Senate Standing Committee on Health Thursday discussed issues related to MRI machines at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic hospitals.
During the discussion, it was revealed that Polyclinic Hospital lacked the necessary paper for printing laboratory test reports.
Committee Chairman Senator Dr Muhammad Humayun Mohmand presided over the meeting.
He emphasised the need for a minimum of six to seven MRI machines in government hospitals in Islamabad.
The Executive Director (ED) of PIMS Hospital reported that PIMS' MRI machine has been operational since October 13 and is scheduled for inauguration on October 27 by the federal health minister. The issue of the MRI machine at Polyclinic Hospital was also raised, to which the ED of Polyclinic responded that it would be available at the hospital in four to five months.
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Committee member Bahramand Tangi questioned the ED of PIMS about the malfunction of the MRI equipment over the past four years and where patients were referred during that time. The ED explained that patients were referred to the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), which has its own MRI machine.
Tangi sought records related to the MRI machine at NIRM Hospital. Documents regarding deputed employees at Polyclinic and PIMS Hospital were presented to the committee. The ED of PIMS mentioned that 24 PIMS Hospital employees have been deputed to other hospitals, while the ED of Polyclinic stated that 43 Polyclinic Hospital employees have been deputed elsewhere, with 45 employees coming on deputation.
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During the meeting, the issue of security guard’s protests outside the Polyclinic Hospital was also raised, and the ED of Polyclinic explained that the security guards' employment contract with the private firm had come to an end.
In addition, the committee received a briefing on the National Licensing Examination (NLE) exam. Senator Mehr Taj Roghani shared information from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), indicating that the NLE passing percentage was set at 70 per cent in an October 2021 exam.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2023.