Islamabad : In what appears to be a grim mix of irony and neglect, packs of stray dogs are roaming freely inside the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, including outside wards and even the emergency department, raising serious concerns about patient safety at one of the country’s largest public hospitals.
Visitors and staff say the dogs, moving in groups, have become a routine sight across the sprawling hospital premises, from residential areas and hostels to critical care zones. Their presence, some remarked sarcastically, is so consistent that it almost appears as if they are “ensuring” that dog-bite victims reach the emergency ward without delay.
“I was waiting with a patient when I saw several stray dogs inside the PIMS premises. They were moving freely outside the emergency ward, perhaps ensuring that people bitten by them get proper treatment,” said Ahmed Irshad, an official in Islamabad Capital Territory police.
Doctors, nurses and patients described the situation as both alarming and normalized. “Stray dogs roaming inside PIMS premises is a common sight. Nobody even takes notice of them,” said a female doctor, requesting anonymity.
Healthcare workers say the unchecked dog population is not just a civic issue but a workplace hazard. Several doctors and nurses, particularly women, expressed concern that stray dogs tend to target individuals who appear vulnerable.
Despite repeated complaints, many within the hospital believe the response has been inconsistent. Staff say the presence of dogs inside sensitive areas, particularly outside the emergency ward, reflects deeper administrative gaps rather than an isolated municipal failure.
Responding to the concerns, a spokesperson for the PIMS administration said that “appropriate actions are regularly being taken for removal of stray dogs.”
