Gulf has further widened between the Ministry of Health and Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) Board over the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) tragedy in which 14 newborns had died as five more members of the Board have resigned in protest against what they deem increasing control of the ministry over the Authority’s affairs, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.
Sources told the 24News TV channel that the members were angry over the resignation of the Board chairman.
Dr. Riaz Shahbaz Janjua had resigned as the Board chairman on August 28 since he was heartbroken over the trolling that he faced following the deaths of 14 newborns.
The members were also resentful of growing criticism of the Authority in the wake of the PIMS tragedy.
They were of the view, sources informed, that linking the Authority to the PIMS tragedy was completely unjustified since under the IHRA’s Act, the Authority was not authorized to inspect public sector hospitals, including the PIMS, and that the inspection of these hospitals was the responsibility of the health ministry.
The members opined that the ministry’s permission was required prior to the inspection.
Sources disclosed that out of total nine members on the Board, so far seven had resigned, and had sent their resignations to the Ministry of Health.
Those who had recently resigned were Professor Naeem Malik, Dr. Matiur Rehman, Colonel (r) Dr. Arif Maqsood, Kashif Zahoor and Asma Khalil.
Reporter: Babar Shahzad Turk