PIMS Hospital Stops New Maternity Cases Amid Bed Shortage
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has stopped accepting new maternity cases due to limited capacity following the loss of beds in its neonatal nursery.
PIMS Executive Director Rana Imran Sikandar confirmed that the hospital is currently unable to accommodate additional patients because it is operating beyond its available capacity.
According to the executive director, 15 nursery beds were completely destroyed, reducing the total number of beds from 50 to 35. The reduced capacity has created additional pressure on the hospital’s maternity and neonatal services.
Rana Imran Sikandar said babies and other patients would be referred to hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi so they could continue receiving medical treatment without interruption. Letters have also been sent to other hospitals regarding the referrals, while some babies have already been shifted to the Polyclinic.
The decision to stop accepting new maternity cases comes amid ongoing concerns over healthcare capacity at PIMS following the deadly fire in the hospital’s nursery, which claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies.
Hospital authorities maintain that the current restriction is due to limited bed capacity and is intended to prevent further overcrowding and ensure that existing patients receive appropriate care.
The development has raised concerns among families seeking maternity and neonatal services at the major public-sector hospital. With PIMS no longer taking new maternity cases, patients may have to rely on other hospitals in the twin cities for delivery and newborn care.
Authorities are expected to monitor the situation and coordinate with other healthcare facilities to manage the additional patient load resulting from the reduction in PIMS capacity.
The hospital’s decision highlights the immediate pressure on maternity and neonatal services and the need for adequate emergency preparedness, fire safety arrangements and sufficient medical facilities in major public hospitals.
