14 newborns killed in PIMS fire as government orders probe

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said that an immediate and comprehensive investigation will be conducted into the tragic incident at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad following the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said that an immediate and comprehensive investigation will be conducted into the tragic incident at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad following the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In a statement Dar expressed deep sorrow over the incident in which 14 newborn babies reportedly lost their lives after a fire broke out at the hospital. He said that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible for the tragedy.

Dar also expressed condolences to the bereaved families praying for patience courage and strength for the parents during the difficult time. He stressed that protecting children must remain an absolute priority.

The deaths have left the parents devastated with affected families demanding DNA testing to identify the deceased babies and calling for action against the hospital administration.

Following the incident Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suspended Federal Secretary for Health Aslam Ghori. Housing Secretary Muhammad Mahmood was subsequently given additional charge of the health secretary’s position.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has also said that he is prepared to face accountability over the incident. When asked whether he intended to resign Kamal said that the prime minister was his boss and that he needed to speak with him before making any further statement.

To determine responsibility for the tragedy the prime minister has formed an inquiry committee headed by former federal interior secretary Shahid Khan. The committee has been tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire and identifying any negligence or failures.

Meanwhile an initial report by the PIMS administration has provided details about how the fire may have started. According to the report a small explosion occurred in a device associated with an incubator in the neonatal intensive care area. A spark reportedly ignited oxygen causing the fire to spread rapidly.

Parents and eyewitnesses, however, have raised serious concerns about the hospital’s emergency response. They alleged that medical staff were not present in the nursery at the time of the incident and claimed that doors were closed. They also questioned the response time of rescue services.

The Capital Development Authority’s fire department has reportedly identified shortcomings in PIMS fire safety and life-protection arrangements. Its report stated that emergency exit routes were inadequate and alleged that some exits remained permanently closed from the outside.

The conflicting accounts and serious safety concerns have increased pressure for a transparent investigation. Authorities will now be expected to establish the exact cause of the fire assess the emergency response and determine whether negligence or safety violations contributed to the deaths.

The inquiry’s findings could lead to accountability measures as well as reforms in fire safety and emergency procedures at major public hospitals.