Kamal calls for overhaul of administrative system in hospitals

ISLAMABAD, Aug 31 (APP): Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Mustafa Kamal on Monday called for a complete overhaul of the administrative system in public hospitals, stressing that hospital managers must be held directly accountable for the performance of their employees.

  Talking to the media after attending a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, the minister said merely injecting more funds into public hospitals would not resolve their problems, and fundamental administrative reforms were required to improve service delivery and accountability.

  Kamal also disclosed that a separate fire had occurred at the waiting room of the PIMS nursing hostel on July 6, but neither he nor his ministry had been informed about the incident.

  He said the fire had started after a light bulb melted and fell onto a sofa, which caught fire. The blaze was subsequently extinguished.

He said short circuiting, air conditioners and incubators were among the possible sources being examined by investigators.

  The minister said a preliminary inquiry had recommended reviewing the role of the outsourced security company, whose contract included fire-safety requirements.

  He said the company could face blacklisting and criminal proceedings if violations of its contractual obligations were established.

  Kamal clarified that determining individual responsibility and initiating criminal proceedings was the mandate of the inquiry committee and not the health ministry.

  The minister also announced that the government had ordered a third-party safety audit of all federal hospitals to identify deficiencies in fire and emergency safety arrangements and assess their equipment requirements.

  He said the audit would be completed within 15 days. Its findings would subsequently be used to prepare financial requirements for submission.

Kamal stressed that hospital managers should be directly accountable for institutional performance, saying effective management and accountability were essential for improving the quality and safety of healthcare services in public hospitals.