Recent events at the hospital cast doubt over the safety of patients and staff. PHOTO: FILE
In a span of just three weeks, the capital’s largest public hospital has been the scene of two crimes. The case of a stolen newborn — whose family has yet to receive any positive news from the police officials investigating the crime — and the recent shooting of a nurse inside the premises have raised doubts about security arrangements, or lack thereof, at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
“It is too early to say if it was a suicide attempt or if she was shot by someone else,” said Pims spokesperson Dr Ayesha Ishani.
Talking to The Express Tribune, she said the 22-year-old nursing student who was shot in front of the Nursing Hostel is in stable condition.
“She was shot once in the upper abdomen. The bullet was removed during surgery,” Ishani said.
The spokesperson said the student is unable to talk at present and the actual situation will become clear once she starts talking.
Meanwhile, the police are still investigating the incident. The gunshot victim had been on leave for three weeks and only recently rejoined the hospital.
Meanwhile, a senior Pims official speaking on the condition of anonymity blamed the incident on a security lapse.
“If it was a suicide attempt, then the issue is who allowed her to bring a pistol inside the hospital. It shows there is no security check at entry or exit points of the hospital, including the nursing hostel,” he said.
He said that if it was indeed a suicide attempt brought on by depression or other factors, the student could also have used the same gun to attack her colleagues.
Margalla Police ASI Amir Khan said the incident was a suicide attempt. “The nursing student shot herself,” he said.
He said a pistol was recovered from her and her cell phone was checked. Evidence from the latter suggested she had a family dispute which may have led her to attempt suicide, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2015.
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