The notification by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Co-ordinations read: “Dr Ansar Masood, (BS-20, Head of Dentistry PIMS, Islamabad will look after work of Executive Director Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences during Ex-Pakistan leave of Dr Amjad Mehmood w-e-f 02-08-2019, to 31-08-2019 with immediate effect.”
But instead of vacating his seat, Dr Amjad not only called Health Secretary Dr Allah Bakhsh Malik and hurled threats but also instigated the PIMS staff members to not let the new ED take charge, telling them that the government intends to privatise PIMS, sources at the ministry told NayaDaur Media.
The government has no plans in near future to privatise PIMS, they added.
According to the source, the federal secretary told Dr Amjad that he could not challenge the state as he secretary) works for the state, not the government. He even ordered that police should be called if law and order situation emerges during the takeover of the ED office.
A summary had been sent to Prime Minister Imran Khan to replace the PIMS ED because of his poor performance and reported corruption. However, resistance was anticipated because of his connections with the “right quarters”.
The summary had recommended names of renowned Child Specialist Dr. Hashim Bangash, Dr Prof Tanvir Khaliq and Dr Anjum Javid.
PIMS is one the largest hospitals in Pakistan with the capacity of 1,400 beds and former health secretary Nargis Sethi had described it as the “Nine Zero” of Islamabad for its internal politics and corruption.