AgNoStiC MuSliM
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That is not factually correct.The federal government announced the privatization of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital, Islamabad on Monday in accordance with the Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Ordinance.
Following the enforcement of the ordinance, the patients visiting the hospital for check-ups and tests will be charged fees equivalent to those of other private hospitals.
A spokesperson for the PIMS Hospital said that the promulgation of the ordinance means that patients will now be charged heavy fees for regular check-ups and tests.
Prior to this, the hospital had either nominal or no charges for their provision of medical services to the public.
The spokesperson also revealed that the cancer patients that are not treated at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital are given free treatment at the PIMS Hospital and that the privatization entails such patients having to pay heavy fees for their treatment
Additionally, comments (such as those alleging large increases in fees) from staff members who are striking against the MTI Ordinance related restructuring need to be verified since the staff is protesting against the very process that they are maligning.
On another note, there is a need for regulations that set out 'pricing bands' for different medical procedures in various parts of the country, especially if the government continues rolling out public health coverage for more and more people through the health cards.