PIMS tragedy triggers more changes as Healthcare Authority chairman resigns

The fallout from the deaths of 14 newborns at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has continued, with the chairman of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority, Dr Riaz Shahbaz Janjua, resigning from his post.

The federal cabinet approved Dr Janjua’s resignation, after which the Ministry of Health issued an official notification. Dr Janjua stepped down immediately after his resignation was accepted. He was also a member of the regulatory authority.

Dr Mohammad Riaz Shahbaz Janjua is an accomplished healthcare leader who has held several prestigious national positions, reflecting his commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s health system.

He served as Chairman of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) since October 2024, where he provides strategic direction for healthcare regulation and quality assurance. 

He also remained a Member of the Prime Minister’s Committee on Medical Education, contributing to national policy and reforms in medical training. 

In addition, he has served as a Member Syndicate (Nominee of the President of Pakistan) at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad, for two terms and as a Technocrat Member of the District Health Authorities in the Punjab Government. 

With over twenty-seven years of clinical experience in Pakistan and abroad, Dr Janjua transitioned from a successful clinical career to medical education leadership.

As a master trainer, he has been instrumental in capacity building, training medical and dental faculty across the country, and promoting modern educational approaches. 

He currently serves as a permanent faculty member in a medical college and as visiting faculty at SZABMU, contributing significantly to the professional development of healthcare educators. 

Dr Janjua’s academic background includes an MD, HDCH, and MHPE, complementing his strong portfolio of leadership and service in medical education and healthcare governance.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the latest development of Dr Raiz's resignation follows a series of changes in the health sector after the PIMS fire on August 26, in which 14 newborns died.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suspended Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori and removed him from his post following the tragedy. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Housing Secretary Captain (retired) Muhammad Mahmood was given additional charge of Health Secretary.

The government has also taken action against PIMS officials following an inquiry into the incident. The Ministry of Health issued a notification on Sunday suspending seven PIMS employees.

Professor Dr Rana Imran Iskandar was suspended as PIMS executive director for four months and replaced by Dr Muhammad Salman of the National Institutes of Health, who was appointed for three years. Dr Salman was also given additional charge as chief executive officer of the NIH.

Dr Altaf Hussain was given additional charge as joint executive director for non-medical matters, while Dr Nuzhat Yasmin was given additional charge as joint executive director of the Children's Hospital. Dr Shumaila was appointed professor and head of the gynaecology department.

Meanwhile, the bodies of 13 of the 14 newborns who died in the PIMS fire were handed over to their parents on Sunday. The body of one newborn was handed over to the Edhi Foundation because the child's parents could not be traced.

Sources told 24NewsHD TV channel that two months earlier, on June 21, a 15-year-old girl had given birth to the child at the hospital before leaving. No complaint was filed, and efforts to trace the mother were unsuccessful. The child had remained admitted to the hospital nursery since then.

Reporter: Babar Shehzad Turk