In an effort to promote physical activity and reduce the number of attendants in the hospital, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has decided to establish a ladies park and jogging track within its premises. This move is a first of its kind for both public and private sector hospitals in Islamabad.
According to Pims spokesperson Dr Haider Abbasi, the park will be exclusively available for female staff of the hospital and will serve as a place for walks and physical activities. The initiative was spearheaded by Pims Executive Director Professor Naeem Malik, who believes that physical activity such as jogging and walking can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, which are prevalent among adults in Pakistan.
Dr Abbasi also mentioned that while the hospital discourages patients from bringing more than one attendant, the cultural norms in Pakistan often result in a large number of attendants accompanying the patients. The establishment of the ladies park is expected to reduce the number of attendants in the hospital and encourage women to engage in physical activities.
Apart from the ladies park and jogging track, Pims has also completed the construction of a renovated building for the School of Nursing and has made advanced endoscopy facilities like Endoscopic Ultrasound and Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) functional in the hospital. The installation of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine is also in progress and will soon be available for use.
Pims is one of the largest hospitals in Pakistan, with an average of 10,000 to 15,000 patients visiting the hospital on a daily basis. With two attendants accompanying each patient on average, the number of visitors can reach up to 30,000 per day.
The establishment of the ladies park and jogging track is a commendable initiative by Pims, which aims to promote a healthier lifestyle among its staff and visitors. It is a step towards reducing the burden on hospitals and promoting awareness among the masses regarding the benefits of physical activities.