Govt decides to urgently address shortage of engineering, technical staff at Pims

Govt decides to urgently address shortage of engineering, technical staff at Pims.

Key points

• Ikram Junaidi Published September 7, 2026 Updated September 7, 2026 07: 54pm.
• During the session, office-holders briefed the minister on the status of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system at Pims' Mother and Child Health Centre.
• The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has begun a comprehensive assessment of the hospital's facilities and services, according to the health ministry.
• Ikram Junaidi is a staff correspondent for Dawn with over 25 years of experience.
• According to the health ministry, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal chaired the session.

Ikram Junaidi Published September 7, 2026 Updated September 7, 2026 07: 54pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

ISLAMABAD: The federal administration on Monday decided to urgently address the shortage of engineering and technical staff at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) as part of efforts to improve efficiency in the health system after a tragic fire incident that killed 14 infants.

For context, the session was held after the federal administration confirmed steps to address technical matters and hold those responsible accountable for the fire at the Pims Mother and Child Health Centre.

According to the health ministry, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal chaired the session. It was attended by senior office-holders from the ministry, the Pims administration, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other relevant departments.

During the session, office-holders briefed the minister on the status of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system at Pims' Mother and Child Health Centre. It was affected by the recent fire.

CDA authorities stated work on the HVAC system had been disrupted since the building had been temporarily closed as part of an investigation into the incident.

Kamal directed the health secretary to immediately contact the relevant authorities and finalise a timeline for handing over the affected building so that restoration work could resume without delay.

In practice, the health minister further remarked suitable engineers and technical experts from the surplus pool created after the abolition of the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) should be utilised to address the shortage at Pims.

It was additionally decided that the health ministry would write to the Ministry of Housing and Works for the deployment of suitable engineers, technical experts and other relevant staff at the hospital.

"The strengthening of the technical workforce is necessary to ensure uninterrupted and safe healthcare services for patients and newborns, " Kamal remarked. IHRA starts assessment of Pims.

For context, the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has begun a comprehensive assessment of the hospital's facilities and services, according to the health ministry.

During a separate session, the health minister was additionally briefed on a visit by IHRA technical experts to Pims as part of an assessment of the hospital's performance, facilities and services against prescribed standards.

"The experts are reviewing clinical, surgical, medical, radiology and administrative departments, with the hospital's performance being assessed against various indicators, " the health ministry remarked.

Meanwhile, the ministry remarked the IHRA team would prepare recommendations aimed at improving Pims' functioning, raising service standards and modernising the hospital.

Ikram Junaidi is a staff correspondent for Dawn with over 25 years of experience. As well as public health problems, he covers national politics, particularly opposition parties.

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