ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of the decision to charge fees from 10 percent of patients at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
In a statement, the health minister termed the practice inappropriate and questioned why only a portion of patients were being charged when 90 percent of patients were receiving treatment free of cost.
“Why should 10 percent of patients be charged when treatment for 90 percent is free?” Mustafa Kamal questioned.
The minister has sought detailed information from the PIMS administration regarding the collection of fees from patients. He also expressed displeasure with PIMS Executive Director Dr Muhammad Salman over the matter.
Mustafa Kamal had previously asked the hospital administration to provide details of the revenue generated through fees collected from the 10 percent of patients who are charged for treatment and services.
The minister said that patients who are required to pay for treatment are likely to discuss their experiences at PIMS and raise questions about the policy of selective fee collection.
He emphasized that access to healthcare should be fair and that patients should not be placed in different categories without a clear and justified policy.
Mustafa Kamal further said that he would raise the issue with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and seek his support for providing free treatment to all patients at PIMS.
The health minister’s intervention comes as the government continues to focus on reforms at the major public-sector hospital in Islamabad. PIMS serves a large number of patients from Islamabad as well as other parts of the country, making its healthcare policies an important public issue.
The minister has directed the PIMS administration to provide details regarding the fee-charging mechanism, including the number of patients being charged and the income generated through these charges. The information is expected to help the government determine the justification and impact of the existing policy.
Mustafa Kamal’s comments also indicate that the government is considering broader changes to the hospital’s approach to patient charges. If the proposal for free treatment for all PIMS patients is approved, it could remove the existing distinction between patients who receive free services and those who are required to pay.
The issue is also linked to wider efforts to improve the performance and management of PIMS. The hospital has recently been the subject of government attention, with measures being discussed to introduce reforms and improve the quality of services provided to patients.
For the time being, the health ministry has sought clarification and financial details from the PIMS administration. A decision regarding the future of the fee structure is expected after the relevant information is reviewed and consultations are held with the federal government.
Mustafa Kamal has made it clear that he considers the current arrangement, under which 90 percent of patients receive free treatment while 10 percent are charged, inappropriate. He has also indicated that he intends to pursue the matter with the prime minister with the objective of ensuring free treatment for all patients at PIMS.
About The Author
