PM Shehbaz Sharif Takes Notice of Non-Functional CT Coronary Angiography Facility at PIMS, Orders Inquiry Committee

ISLAMABAD: Report By Muhammad Saleem

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the non-functional/unavailable CT coronary angiography facility at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and constituted an inquiry committee to determine the facts.
The Prime Minister has directed the committee to examine all aspects of the matter, establish the facts and determine responsibility, and submit its report. The committee will be chaired by the Secretary of the Establishment Division, with other members including the Secretary of National Health Services, Brig. Dr. Jahanzeb Ali (AFIC), Dr. Nasrullah Chaudhry, Prof. Dr. Nadeem Hayat Malik, Brig. (R) Dr. Azmat Hayat (PIMS), and Mr. Umar Farooq (CT Angio Technician, AFIC). The committee may co-opt additional members as needed.
The committee will assess whether PIMS possessed the technical capability to perform CT coronary angiograms since 2022, and if so, to what extent the required technical facilities, human resources, and software were available. It will also review the procedures, numbers, and dates of CT coronary angiograms conducted at PIMS from 2022 to date, along with all related hospital records and documentary evidence.
The panel will further examine whether there was a formal referral mechanism and coordination between the Cardiology and Radiology departments, and whether cardiology patients were routinely referred to private medical centers — and if so, whether any specific private facility was favored, and how much financial business was diverted from the public hospital to private centers as a result.
The committee will investigate any lack of coordination, mismanagement, or miscommunication between the Cardiology and Radiology departments and the resulting harm to public interest, and will identify responsible officers or offices.
The Prime Minister has directed that the committee submit its report after a thorough review of all facts and records so that further action can be taken in accordance with the law. The National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division will assist the committee during the inquiry.