Karachi hospitals face fire safety gaps after PIMS tragedy

KARACHI: Serious shortcomings in fire safety arrangements have been reported at major government hospitals in Karachi following the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, where newborns lost their lives.

Hospital sources said several major public healthcare facilities in Karachi lack functional fire alarm systems and adequate emergency preparedness, raising concerns about the safety of thousands of patients and healthcare workers.

At Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, operated by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), only 13 fire extinguishers are reportedly available across the facility.

Sources said hospital staff have also not received regular fire safety training or participated in proper fire drills. The hospital reportedly does not have a fire alarm system or a designated emergency exit route.

The situation is particularly concerning because hundreds of patients visit the emergency department every day, while more than 1,000 patients reportedly attend the outpatient department (OPD).

Abbasi Shaheed Hospital has two generators, with one reportedly kept as a backup power source.

The hospital’s Medical Superintendent said authorities were taking further steps to improve the fire safety system and address existing shortcomings.

At Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), fire extinguishers are available in the wards, but hospital sources said several of them are not functional.

Sources further said the last fire drill at the hospital was conducted in 2017. The hospital also reportedly lacks an installed fire alarm system.

JPMC’s Joint Executive Director said a dedicated firefighting team needs to be established at the hospital. He said each ward has a fire extinguisher, while further training for staff is also required.

He added that the hospital administration would write to the Sindh government seeking additional fire safety training for employees.

Meanwhile, Civil Hospital Karachi has around 180 fire extinguishers distributed among its wards. However, sources said the overall fire safety arrangements at the hospital also fall short of ideal standards.

The revelations have raised concerns about the preparedness of major public hospitals in Karachi to deal with fires and other emergencies.

Large government hospitals handle thousands of patients, attendants and healthcare workers every day. In the event of a fire, the absence of functional alarms, clearly marked emergency exits, regular drills and trained response teams could make evacuation difficult and increase the risk to human lives.

The situation has come under renewed scrutiny after the PIMS tragedy in Islamabad, prompting calls for immediate inspections of fire safety systems at hospitals across the country.

Experts and hospital officials have stressed the need for regular fire drills, functioning extinguishers, alarm systems, emergency exits and trained firefighting teams.