PIMS Nursery Fire: Inquiry Finds Safety Gaps After 14 Newborn Deaths

PIMS Nursery Fire: An initial government inquiry into the deaths of 14 newborns at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has identified serious weaknesses in hospital safety, facilities and emergency preparedness.

The report was submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday after investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the deadly fire in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.

The fire broke out at about 6:45am on August 26 on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health ward. Fifteen newborns were inside the nursery when the fire started, but rescuers managed to save only one child.

A high-level inquiry committee, formed on the prime minister’s orders and headed by former Interior Secretary Shahid Khan, investigated the incident. Khan submitted the report to PM Adviser Tauqir Hussain Shah, who later briefed the prime minister on its findings and recommendations.

Inquiry recommends action

According to sources familiar with the report, the committee recommended immediate action against officials found responsible for the incident. It also called for disciplinary proceedings against PIMS employees who were absent when the fire broke out.

The investigation examined the hospital’s emergency response and recorded the difficulties faced by rescue teams during the operation. Investigators also obtained statements from fire brigade and rescue personnel and interviewed PIMS administrators and doctors.

The report reportedly found shortcomings in treatment and hospital facilities and concluded that conditions at PIMS did not meet international standards.

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Safety improvements urged

The committee recommended immediate measures to improve hospital safety, emergency preparedness and response systems. It also called for steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The report was signed by all members of the inquiry committee. The panel included retired Maj Gen Dr Khurshid Utra, Dr Barrister Nabeel Ahmed Awan and the Islamabad deputy commissioner.

The prime minister will decide whether the inquiry report should be made public.

PIMS remains operational

Meanwhile, PIMS administration has announced that the hospital will remain fully operational on Sunday.

According to a circular issued by the administration, the administration and accounts departments will operate according to their regular schedules. Relevant officers and staff have also been directed to report during designated working hours.

The circular, issued by Deputy Executive Director Dr Aneza Jalil, warned that unauthorised absence, negligence or failure to follow official orders could result in disciplinary action.

The inquiry comes amid growing scrutiny of safety arrangements and emergency procedures at PIMS following the deaths of 14 newborns in the nursery fire.