Dr Anser reinstated as ED of PIMS

Islamabad : All is not well at the Ministry of Health, which appears totally flustered, both regarding the appointment of the Executive Director (ED) of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), as well as the resumption or discontinuation of flights from China, which is battling the world’s worst health emergency of present times.

At PIMS, only a day after notifying Associate Professor of Orthopedics Dr. Rizwan Hameed Malik as the acting ED of the hospital in place of Dr. Anser Maxood, who was relieved of his services with immediate effect on February 4, 2020, the Ministry Wednesday issued another notification announcing reinstatement of Dr. Anser and withdrawal of its earlier notification announcing Dr. Rizwan as the new acting ED till the appointment of a regular incumbent.

Dr. Anser was removed from his position as ED of PIMS on February 4 after suspension of the August 9 notification announcing his appointment on the said position. The same day, Dr. Rizwan was appointed acting ED of the hospital through a notification, which was followed on Wednesday, by another notification announcing withdrawal of the February 4 notification, and communicating the reinstatement of Dr. Anser as ED following restoration of the August 9 notification.

The brunt of the Ministry’s indecisiveness is being felt acutely by none other than Dr. Rizwan, who is being labeled as the shortest serving ED of PIMS! Dr. Rizwan is said to have been tipped for the post by the PM’s Special Assistant on Health; however, Secretary Health is said to have opposed the decision, leading to withdrawal of the initial notification. Dr. Rizwan’s appointment was rather misplaced, given that he is a junior doctor serving in grade 19 only.

With reference to the Pak-China flight schedule in the aftermath of the Coronavirus outbreak, the Ministry Wednesday issued a statement announcing restriction on incoming flights from China, and quoted Pakistan’s best national interest as being the driving force behind the decision. A few hours later, it withdrew its earlier statement and announced that flights between the two countries would continue uninterrupted. A spokesman of the Civil Aviation Authority also dismissed news about discontinuation of flights later in the day.