ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad will remain open and fully operational on Sunday, according to an official notification issued by the hospital administration.
The notification, approved by Deputy Executive Director Dr Aneela Jaleel, directs all relevant departments and staff members to ensure their presence during the designated working hours.
According to the notification, PIMS Hospital will remain fully functional on Sunday, while the hospital administration and accounts branch will also continue their routine operations. The decision has been taken to ensure that essential administrative and hospital-related activities continue without interruption.
All concerned officers and employees have been instructed to report for duty according to their assigned schedules. The administration has emphasised that attendance during the specified working hours will be mandatory for staff members concerned.
The notification also contains a warning against unauthorised absence, negligence and failure to comply with official instructions. Employees who remain absent without permission or fail to perform their assigned responsibilities could face strict disciplinary action, according to the hospital administration.
The decision comes at a sensitive time for the capital’s largest public-sector hospital. PIMS has remained affected following a tragic fire in the paediatric intensive care unit (ICU), in which 14 children reportedly lost their lives.
The incident has raised serious concerns about safety arrangements, hospital management and the continuity of healthcare services at the facility. The hospital administration has faced pressure to ensure that essential medical and administrative operations are maintained while the consequences of the incident are addressed.
Keeping PIMS operational on Sunday is therefore significant for both hospital employees and patients who rely on the facility for medical treatment. As one of the major public healthcare institutions in Islamabad, PIMS provides services to patients from the capital as well as people travelling from other parts of the country.
The administration’s instructions indicate that normal attendance and official duties will continue despite the circumstances surrounding the hospital. Staff members have been directed to follow the prescribed working hours and comply with administrative orders.
The warning of disciplinary action is also intended to ensure that departments remain adequately staffed. Unauthorised absence at a major healthcare facility can affect administrative functions as well as the delivery of medical services, particularly when the hospital is dealing with the aftermath of a major incident.
The notification specifically places responsibility on officers and employees to ensure that their attendance is recorded and that they perform their assigned duties. Hospital authorities have made it clear that negligence or disobedience of official instructions will not be taken lightly.
The decision to keep the administration and accounts branch open on Sunday also suggests that the hospital intends to maintain its routine institutional functions. These departments play an important role in managing staff, finances, procurement and other operational matters necessary for the functioning of a large healthcare institution.
Meanwhile, the fire in the paediatric ICU remains a major concern for the hospital and the wider public. The deaths of 14 children have intensified questions about safety standards and emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities.
Such incidents can have far-reaching consequences for public confidence in hospitals, particularly facilities that serve vulnerable patients and children. Ensuring safe infrastructure, effective emergency response systems and uninterrupted medical services is therefore essential.
The latest notification does not provide further details about the circumstances under which the decision to keep PIMS open on Sunday was taken. However, it clearly instructs the relevant staff to remain present and perform their duties according to the official schedule.
The hospital administration has also made it clear that employees cannot remain absent without prior approval. Those found violating the instructions may face disciplinary proceedings under the applicable rules.
For patients and their families, the continuation of hospital operations is particularly important because any disruption at a major public-sector hospital can place additional pressure on other healthcare facilities in Islamabad and surrounding areas.
PIMS is one of the key healthcare institutions in the federal capital, and its services are relied upon by a large number of patients every day. Maintaining operational continuity is therefore crucial while authorities address the concerns arising from the recent tragedy.
The decision to keep the hospital fully functional on Sunday is expected to ensure that administrative and related activities continue as scheduled. At the same time, the administration’s strict instructions regarding attendance underline the importance of maintaining discipline and ensuring that staff responsibilities are fulfilled.
The tragic loss of 14 children in the paediatric ICU fire has placed the hospital under heightened public scrutiny. Going forward, attention is likely to remain focused on safety measures, accountability and the steps being taken to prevent similar incidents.
For now, PIMS officials have directed all relevant staff to report for duty on Sunday during their prescribed working hours and have warned that unauthorised absence, negligence or disobedience could result in strict disciplinary action.
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