Pims request for security fall on deaf ears

Manages security with 68 ill-equipped, ill-trained private guards.

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad’s largest public sector hospital besides catering to a huge patient load is additionally charged with securing its premises, staff and visitors against the threats from extremist elements.

With its requests to beef up the security falling on deaf ears, it is doing all it can with the meagre resources at its disposal.

In the wake of deteriorating law and order, the administration of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has twice requested the Islamabad Police to establish a sub-police station at its premises but there is no response yet.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (SZAB) Medical University Vice-Chancellor Professor Javed Akram confirmed the same saying he has written a letter to the Inspector General (IG) of Police for providing adequate security.

Prof. Akram said at present there are around 68 private security guards deputed in the hospital but they lack the necessary equipment and training.

“We are training more security personal but it will take time,” he said.

Additionally, the administration has procured 148 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and 20 monitors to install at various spots.

“Though these CCTV cameras and the monitors were supposed to be installed years ago but financial constraints always remain a major hurdle,” he said.

According to the hospital sources there are three police constables deputed in the emergency ward only to register the medico-legal cases.

“The lives of over 6,000 people including hospital employees, patients and attendants are at stake due to insufficient security,” said an official.

High-profile patients usually avail the facility which makes the hospital more vulnerable from the security point of view.

There are no metal detectors or walk-through gates anywhere in the hospital. There is no security at the main gates of the hospital to check visitors and vehicles, according to the sources.

It is pertinent to mention that last year in October the Pims administration requested Islamabad police for establishment of a checkpoint after doctors were allegedly thrashed by some attendants. According to the plan, around 10 police officials headed by a sub-inspector were to be deputed at the checkpoint.

It has been eight months and the government has yet to take the action.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2014.