Health Minister Urges Cold and Fever Patients to Avoid PIMS to Ease Hospital Burden

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has urged people with mild illnesses such as colds, coughs and fever not to visit the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, saying the move is intended to reduce pressure on one of the country’s busiest public hospitals.

Speaking in Islamabad on Tuesday, the minister said PIMS is facing a growing patient load and should remain focused on treating more serious and specialized medical cases. He also acknowledged that weaknesses in Pakistan’s primary healthcare system have contributed to overcrowding at major hospitals.

Daily Patient Numbers Have Increased Significantly

According to Mustafa Kamal, PIMS was established in 1984 when Islamabad’s population was around 700,000. He said the capital’s population is now approaching five million, while the hospital’s daily patient volume has increased from around 200 to between 7,000 and 9,000.

He added that when patients are accompanied by family members, the number of people present at the hospital each day reaches between 35,000 and 40,000, placing additional strain on its facilities and services.

Minister Highlights Need for Stronger Primary Healthcare

The health minister said Pakistan has yet to establish an ideal healthcare system and acknowledged shortcomings in strengthening primary healthcare services.

He said improving primary healthcare would help patients receive treatment closer to their communities while reducing unnecessary visits to tertiary care hospitals such as PIMS.

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