The corridors of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences have been buzzing with urgency in recent weeks, as an unprecedented surge of patients has strained the capital’s flagship hospital. Amid mounting public anxiety after a series of safety lapses, the Ministry of Health announced a leadership change aimed at turning the tide.
Dr. Salman, a veteran physician with extensive experience in emergency care, has been named the new executive director of PIMS. In his inaugural briefing, he acknowledged the institution’s overwhelming caseload and pledged a series of concrete measures to curb future incidents and restore confidence among patients and their families.
The first thrust of his plan focuses on revamping the triage system. By introducing standardized assessment tools and expanding the triage workforce, the hospital aims to prioritize critical cases more efficiently, reducing wait times and minimizing the risk of oversight. Dr. Salman emphasized that a robust triage protocol is the frontline defence against medical errors in a high‑volume setting.
Parallel to process reforms, the director announced an immediate upgrade of critical‑care infrastructure. Outdated ventilators and monitoring devices will be replaced with modern, calibrated equipment, and maintenance schedules will be tightened to ensure uninterrupted functionality. These upgrades are expected to bolster the hospital’s capacity to handle complex emergencies, especially during peak influx periods.
Finally, Dr. Salman outlined a comprehensive staff development and accountability framework. Accelerated training programmes will be rolled out for nurses, paramedics and support personnel, while regular internal audits and a transparent incident‑reporting platform will monitor compliance. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and open scrutiny, the new leadership hopes to safeguard patient wellbeing and reaffirm PIMS’s role as the backbone of Islamabad’s healthcare system.