PIMS Fire Tragedy Sparks Major Safety Review as Punjab Orders Emergency Checks at Hospitals
Islamabad Fire That Killed 14 Newborns Raises Serious Questions About Hospital Safety
The devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, which claimed the lives of 14 newborns, has triggered widespread concerns over fire safety and emergency preparedness at healthcare facilities across Pakistan.
As investigations continue into the exact cause of the blaze, the National Assembly’s health committee has said there is no clear evidence that an old air conditioner caused the fire. Meanwhile, the Punjab government and the Punjab Healthcare Commission have ordered urgent reviews and strengthened safety measures at hospitals across the province.
The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of ageing hospital infrastructure, emergency exits, firefighting equipment and the ability of healthcare facilities to respond effectively to life-threatening emergencies.
Cause of Deadly PIMS Fire Remains Unclear
The fire broke out early Wednesday morning on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital at PIMS. Fifteen newborns were present in the ward when the blaze erupted. Fourteen infants suffered severe burns and later died, while one child survived after being rescued.
Following the tragedy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an inquiry into the incident and suspended Health Secretary Aslam Ghori.
Members of the National Assembly’s health committee later visited PIMS and raised questions about the explanation that an old air conditioner had caused the fire.
Committee chairman Dr Mahesh Kumar said members were initially told that a spark from an old AC unit had triggered the blaze. However, the committee was subsequently informed that the unit had reportedly not been operational for a long time.
According to Kumar, CCTV footage also failed to conclusively establish that the fire had originated from the air conditioner.
“The source of the fire was not known to anyone,” he said, adding that neither the staff present at the time nor the available footage could clearly identify where the initial spark had come from.
Oxygen Pipeline and Electrical Wiring Also Under Investigation
The health committee has urged authorities to investigate other possible causes, including faults in electrical wiring and the hospital’s oxygen pipeline.
Dr Kumar highlighted the speed with which the fire reportedly spread, saying the blaze engulfed the area within approximately one minute. This raised concerns about whether oxygen may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
Committee members said a detailed technical investigation was necessary to determine whether there had been a fault in the oxygen system, electrical wiring or another source.
Doctors and nurses who were on duty reportedly provided different accounts of the incident, but none could confirm where the initial spark originated.
Committee Questions Decision to Keep Newborns in Old Nursery
The National Assembly’s health committee also raised concerns about the location of the nursery where the tragedy occurred.
According to committee members, the building housing the nursery dates back to around 1990, despite the availability of a newer and better-equipped block at PIMS.
The committee questioned whether vulnerable newborns should have been accommodated in the older facility and stressed the importance of ensuring that critical units such as nurseries are housed in modern buildings equipped with appropriate safety systems.
Members also called for accountability and demanded that those responsible for failures in hospital administration and safety arrangements be held answerable.
Punjab Launches Province-Wide Hospital Fire Safety Review
The PIMS tragedy has now prompted immediate action in Punjab, where Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered an urgent review of fire-safety arrangements at public-sector healthcare facilities across the province.
The Punjab Healthcare Commission has also directed both public and private hospitals to strengthen emergency preparedness and ensure compliance with safety requirements.
The directions focus on improving hospitals’ ability to respond to both fire and non-fire emergencies through trained personnel, functional emergency equipment, adequate resources and regular emergency drills.
The commission reiterated that healthcare facilities must comply with prescribed Minimum Service Delivery Standards, including requirements related to facility management and hospital safety.
Hospitals Directed to Introduce Code Red and Emergency Systems
Under the new directions, hospitals have been instructed to establish emergency coding systems, including a “Code Red” mechanism specifically for fire incidents.
Healthcare facilities have also been directed to ensure that firefighting equipment remains functional, staff members receive emergency training and regular safety drills are conducted.
Hospitals are required to develop standard operating procedures for emergencies, prominently display emergency exit maps and obtain the necessary building safety and fitness certificates.
The Punjab Healthcare Commission has called for fire-safety audits of public and private hospitals to be completed without delay. Institutions found to be violating applicable laws, rules or regulations could face inspection reports requiring improvements, with details of non-compliant facilities shared with the commission.
Rescue 1122 Asked to Inspect Hospitals and Review Safety Compliance
The Punjab Emergency Services Department has been asked to inspect hospitals under relevant provincial safety laws and regulations.
District Emergency Officers have the authority to inspect buildings, verify the availability and installation of fire-safety arrangements and issue safety certificates where hospitals meet the required standards.
The Punjab Healthcare Commission has also requested details of hospital inspections conducted during the past three years, along with information about facilities that failed to meet statutory safety requirements.
The move is expected to provide authorities with a clearer picture of the existing state of fire preparedness across Punjab’s healthcare system.
Maryam Nawaz Orders Fresh Checks on Fire Extinguishers and Emergency Exits
Separately, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz issued detailed instructions for an immediate assessment of fire-safety arrangements at public-sector healthcare facilities.
Deputy commissioners were directed to inspect the availability and functionality of fire extinguishers and firefighting arrangements at teaching hospitals, district and tehsil headquarters hospitals, Maryam Nawaz Hospitals and Rural Health Centres, as well as Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics.
Inspection teams were also instructed to assess whether emergency exits are suitable and easily accessible, in consultation with Rescue 1122.
The provincial government has sought consolidated reports from districts as part of the urgent review.
Hydrant Systems and Hospital Infrastructure to Be Upgraded
Rescue 1122 has also been directed to review the availability and functionality of hydrant points at healthcare facilities across Punjab.
Authorities will identify locations where new hydrants are needed within or near hospitals, while relevant departments have been instructed to rectify existing arrangements and install new water hydrants where necessary.
Divisional commissioners have been tasked with personally supervising the work, reflecting the urgency with which the provincial government is treating hospital safety following the PIMS tragedy.
Electrical Equipment and Air Conditioners to Undergo Safety Review
In another significant measure, Punjab’s health authorities have been directed to conduct a complete review of the safe functioning of air conditioners, electrical wiring and electro-medical equipment in hospitals under their administrative control.
Any faults or deficiencies identified during the review are to be rectified, with health departments required to submit compliance reports to the provincial government.
The move is particularly significant given that the exact cause of the PIMS fire remains under investigation and an old air conditioner was initially cited as a possible source of the blaze.
Monthly Emergency Drills to Become a Permanent Feature
The Punjab government has also ordered that monthly emergency mock drills should become a permanent feature at healthcare facilities.
Deputy commissioners, Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments will work together to conduct regular drills and continuously assess whether hospitals are prepared to respond to emergencies.
These exercises are expected to test evacuation procedures, staff preparedness and the effectiveness of emergency response systems before an actual crisis occurs.
Technology-Based Fire Protection Systems Under Consideration
The Punjab government is also considering the installation of modern, technology-driven fire protection systems in critical hospital units.
Health authorities and the Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab have been asked to prepare a feasibility report for installing fire alarms, smoke detectors and water sprinkler systems in intensive care units, nurseries and emergency departments of tehsil, district and tertiary-care hospitals.
The proposal could lead to significant improvements in the safety infrastructure of some of Punjab’s most sensitive healthcare facilities, particularly areas where patients may be unable to evacuate without assistance.
A Tragedy That Has Triggered a National Safety Conversation
The deaths of 14 newborns at PIMS have become one of the most heartbreaking healthcare tragedies in recent years and have sparked urgent questions about hospital infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
While investigators continue to determine exactly what caused the fire, the tragedy has already resulted in calls for accountability and prompted a major review of safety arrangements in Punjab.
The developments underline a growing recognition that hospitals, particularly units housing newborns and critically ill patients, require stronger preventive systems and faster emergency response mechanisms.
For the families who lost their children, however, the search for answers continues. As investigations move forward, authorities face increasing pressure to establish the exact cause of the PIMS fire, identify any failures that contributed to the disaster and ensure that meaningful safety reforms prevent another tragedy of this scale.