Summary PM directed the committee to examine all aspects of the matter, determine the facts and identify those responsible before submitting its report
LAHORE (APP) - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday took notice of the non-functional CT coronary angiography facility at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and constituted an inquiry committee to determine the facts and fix responsibility.
The prime minister directed the committee to examine all aspects of the matter, determine the facts and identify those responsible before submitting its report.
The committee will be headed by the Secretary of the Establishment Division. Its members will include the Secretary of the National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division; Brigadier Dr Jahanzeb Ali of AFIC; Dr Nusratullah Chaudhry; Professor Dr Nadeem Hayat Malik; Brigadier (retd) Dr Azmat Hayat of PIMS; and CT Angio Technician AFIC Umar Farooq.
The committee may co-opt any other member if required.
According to the terms of reference, the committee will determine whether PIMS had the technical capability to perform CT coronary angiography since 2022 and, if so, whether the required technical facilities, human resources and software were available.
It will also examine the number, dates and nature of CT coronary angiography procedures performed at PIMS since 2022, along with relevant hospital records and other documentary evidence.
The committee will investigate the coordination and referral mechanism between the Cardiology and Radiology departments and assess the role of the hospital administration in providing the facility.
It will also examine whether patients from the Cardiology Department were routinely referred to private medical centres for CT coronary angiography.
In case of such referrals, the committee will determine whether any particular private facility was given preference and how much financial business was diverted from the public hospital to private centres.
The inquiry committee will further investigate any lack of coordination, mismanagement or misunderstanding between the Cardiology and Radiology departments that may have caused a loss to the public interest. It will also identify the officers or offices responsible.
The prime minister directed the committee to conduct a comprehensive examination of all relevant facts and records and submit its report so that further action could be taken in accordance with the law and rules.
The National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division will provide the necessary assistance to the committee during the inquiry.
