The pims nursery fire that claimed the lives of 15 infants has prompted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to summon an emergency meeting and call Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal to Islamabad.
The Prime Minister directed all relevant officials to ensure their presence at the meeting, while instructing Mustafa Kamal, currently in Karachi, to reach Islamabad immediately. Upon arrival, the minister is to review the situation at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and present a comprehensive report on the tragic incident.
The pims nursery fire broke out early Wednesday morning, reportedly due to a short circuit. Rescue officials said an air conditioner compressor exploded around 6:45 am, sparking the blaze on the third floor of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) ward. Firefighters extinguished the fire, and a cooling process is underway.
PIMS Chief Professor Imran Sikandar confirmed the deaths of 14 infants, adding that one infant and several adults were rescued. He said an investigation is underway, though the exact cause has not yet been determined. “Every aspect of the incident will be probed,” he stated.
An inquiry committee, headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, has been formed to determine the cause of the pims nursery fire. The district administration confirmed the fire erupted in the hospital nursery.
During the rescue operation, six fire tenders and four ambulances were deployed. Hospital sources said a female doctor managed to save one infant’s life from the nursery.
The pims nursery fire has sparked nationwide grief and outrage, with Mustafa Kamal expressing deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives. The Prime Minister has ordered a high-level inquiry and taken administrative action, including the removal of the health secretary.
This incident highlights the dire need for improved safety measures in public hospitals, especially in neonatal units. As families mourn, the government faces mounting pressure to ensure accountability and prevent such tragedies in the future.
Source: ARY News