islamabad - Liver Transplantation Centre of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) is non-functional due to absence of professional staff. The disclosure was made by Minister In-charge of the Capital Administration and Development Division in a written reply to the National Assembly on Thursday.
He said that the Organ Transplant Programme is non-functional and is currently on hold due to lack of trained liver transplant Surgeon, Hepatologist, Anesthetist and Intensive care Specialist. He said the posts are still lying vacant despite multiple advertisements for the appointments.
He said the facility was started in November 2010. Only one liver transplant was carried out by a UK team in May 02, 2012 but the recipient could not make full recovery, died on fifth post operative day. Since then, he said, the facility is not operational.
The minister said as Liver Transplant Surgeon, Hepatologist, and Intensive care specialist are not available so liver transplant is not possible without the professional staff.
Explaining the reasons for lack of staff, the minister, said different vacant posts under BPS-17 and above were sent to the FPSC for recruitment. The FPSC has informed that the PIMS does not come under its being an attached department of the CADD. The posts of BPS-16 and above were being filled by the commission.
The recruitment rules were being framed but after promulgation of SZABMU Ordinance it is not under the purview of FPSC. The PIMS has decided to fill the vacant posts on contract basis and advertised the posts in national press on 10-12-2015.
According to existing recruitment policy, the vacant posts BPS-06 and above will be filled after screening test by a registered testing agency which will be hired by the CADD.
It was further disclosed that Hepatitis Band C medicines were also not available as at the start of the Centre for Liver Diseases the medicines were provided by former Ministry of Health before devaluation as a one tire consignment. The said medicines are in dire need but it is not purchased since then by PIMS.