PIMS Hospital Had No Licence for Two Years Before Deadly Nursery Fire
14 Newborns Lost Their Lives
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad had reportedly remained without a valid licence from the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) for two years before a devastating nursery fire claimed the lives of 14 newborns.
The fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit at PIMS’s Mother and Child Health Centre on August 26, 2026. At the time, 15 newborns were reportedly present in the nursery. Only one infant survived the incident.
Regulatory Oversight Questioned
The disclosure was made during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services. The IHRA acting chief executive reportedly informed lawmakers that PIMS had not been licensed or inspected by the authority during the preceding two years.
The revelation has raised serious concerns about regulatory monitoring at one of Islamabad’s major public hospitals.
Fire Safety Under Scrutiny
The incident has also brought PIMS’s fire-safety arrangements under intense examination. Reports indicated that the hospital did not have a fire-safety No Objection Certificate (NOC) when the tragedy occurred.
Investigators have been examining several factors, including the hospital’s electrical systems, air-conditioning equipment, oxygen arrangements, emergency exits, fire alarms and staff preparedness.
Officials Face Accountability Questions
Following the tragedy, authorities initiated investigations into possible negligence and safety violations. Several officials were reportedly suspended as part of the inquiry, while parliamentary committees called for those found responsible to face legal and disciplinary action.
A Wider Healthcare Safety Concern
The tragedy has raised broader questions about healthcare regulation and emergency preparedness in public hospitals. For the families who lost their newborn children, the investigation is not only about determining how the fire started but also about understanding why regulatory inspections and safety measures failed to prevent such a devastating loss.
The incident has intensified calls for stronger hospital oversight, regular safety inspections and strict enforcement of fire-safety standards to prevent similar tragedies in the future.