ISLAMABAD: Dr Muhammad Salman, Chief Executive of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), according to an official notification.
Dr Salman will continue serving as NIH Chief Executive in an additional capacity while taking charge as PIMS Executive Director. His appointment has been made on deputation for a period of three years, according to the notification.
The appointment comes days after a deadly incident at PIMS that claimed the lives of 14 newborns, prompting a high-level inquiry and disciplinary action against senior hospital officials.
According to the notification, Dr Muhammad Salman will assume the responsibilities of PIMS Executive Director while retaining his position as NIH Chief Executive.
His appointment has been approved for three years on deputation, placing a senior health official at the helm of the country’s major public-sector medical institution in Islamabad.
The move comes as authorities undertake administrative changes at PIMS following the tragic incident and an inquiry into the hospital’s facilities, safety arrangements and emergency response.
Alongside the appointment of Dr Salman, PIMS ENT specialist Dr Altaf has been appointed as Joint Executive Director.
The new appointments are part of a broader administrative reshuffle at PIMS following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s approval of disciplinary action against officials in connection with the incident.
The changes are expected to strengthen the hospital’s administration and improve accountability following the tragedy.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday approved the suspension of eight officials in connection with the PIMS incident.
Those suspended include outgoing PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr Imran Sikandar, Joint Executive Directors Dr Mutahir Shah and Dr Owais Shah, and Neonatal Department head Professor Dr Saadia Riaz.
Senior Registrar Dr Naghma, Dr Noshila Amjad, PIMS Assistant Director Security Muhammad Usman and CDA Emergency Services Director General Dr Abdul Rehman were also suspended.
The action follows the preliminary inquiry into the incident, which examined the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and the hospital’s response.
The government has also approved action against the security company responsible for providing services at PIMS and relevant officials associated with the company.
The decision reflects concerns over security and emergency arrangements at the hospital and comes amid broader efforts to determine whether administrative or operational failures contributed to the tragedy.
Authorities are expected to take further measures based on the findings of the inquiry committee.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also approved the conferment of the Sitara-e-Khidmat on the nurse who risked her own safety to rescue a child during the PIMS incident.
The national honour recognises her courage and efforts to save a child’s life despite the danger surrounding her.
Her actions during the emergency have been highlighted as an example of bravery and professional commitment at a time when the hospital was facing a critical situation.
The appointment of Dr Muhammad Salman as PIMS Executive Director and Dr Altaf as Joint Executive Director marks a significant administrative change at the hospital.
The new leadership will face the task of improving hospital management, strengthening emergency preparedness and addressing concerns raised during the inquiry.
The government is also expected to focus on ensuring that safety procedures, staffing arrangements and emergency response systems at PIMS meet required standards.
The latest decisions come as authorities move toward greater accountability and administrative reform following the deaths of 14 newborns at the hospital.
