Disorganised: In PIMS, patients suffer due to confusion over holiday

ISLAMABAD:

Confusion among doctors and staff at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) about Thursday being a public holiday was responsible for the majority’s absence from duty, compounding patients’ problems.

No notification was issued by the hospital administration to inform staff whether Thursday was a public holiday. Only a few out-patient departments were functional at the hospital and most patients were forced to turn back without treatment.

According to sources in the hospital, confusion among doctors regarding the public holiday led to the postponment of the first kidney transplant, after the re-opening of the kidney centre. The transplant on Thursday was postponed as the team of surgeons was of the view that it would be difficult to provide post-surgery care to the patient due to the holidays.

Dr Imran Rana, the operation theatre in charge, said employees who heard the news on TV thought Thursday would be a public holiday.

When contacted, official spokesperson for Pims, Dr Waseem Khawaja said few employees turned up due to the confusion about Thursday being a public holiday announced by news channels.

The hospital’s administration department closes at 2pm and could not inform the staff. Absent doctors were asked to came in, but few managed to do so.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2012.