Major Sindh government hospitals lack fire alarms and water sprinklers, Report reveals

A fire safety report submitted by 22 government hospitals in Sindh has revealed serious safety shortcomings including the absence of fire alarms and water sprinkler systems at several major public hospitals across the province.

A fire safety report submitted by 22 government hospitals in Sindh has revealed serious safety shortcomings including the absence of fire alarms and water sprinkler systems at several major public hospitals across the province.

According to the report many large hospitals have fire extinguishers but lack essential fire detection and suppression systems. Concerns have also been raised over outdated electrical wiring and irregular fire drills at several facilities.

At Civil Hospital Karachi 180 fire extinguishers were reported to be operational but the hospital does not have fire alarms or sprinkler systems. The 1,750-bed facility also requires repairs to its electrical wiring.

Jinnah Hospital Karachi has 208 operational fire extinguishers but fire alarms and sprinklers are reportedly unavailable. The hospital, which has 2,208 beds, also requires repairs to its electrical wiring. However, regular fire drills are conducted at the facility.

The situation at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) is particularly concerning. Of its 135 fire extinguishers 40 were found to be defective. The 533-bed hospital does not have a fire alarm system while fire drills are reportedly not conducted regularly. Its electrical wiring also requires extensive repairs.

At the 700-bed Lyari General Hospital only 20 fire extinguishers were reported to be operational along with a single alarm. The hospital lacks water sprinklers and does not regularly conduct fire drills.

Other facilities also reported significant gaps. Qatar Hospital in Orangi has only 25 operational fire extinguishers and no fire alarm while Saudabad Hospital has 18 operational extinguishers but lacks a fire alarm system and regular fire drills.

Not all hospitals were found to have inadequate arrangements. The report described fire safety measures at SMBB Trauma Center and Korangi Children’s Institute as satisfactory. SMBB Trauma Center has 180 extinguishers, 45 alarms and 39 operational fire hydrants. Korangi Children’s Institute has 39 extinguishers and 39 fire balls with functioning alarms and regular drills.

In Sukkur, GMMMC Hospital reportedly has an uncleared emergency exit in its children’s ward and only 20 fire extinguishers, with no alarms or sprinklers. SIMS Hospital in Shahdadpur has just five extinguishers and no fire alarm.

LUMHS Hyderabad has 110 operational extinguishers but no fire alarms or sprinklers while LUMHS Jamshoro has 32 extinguishers but lacks both systems.

Health Department sources said fire safety data from several major institutions including NICVD, SIUT Karachi and Sukkur, PUHMS, Khairpur Medical College and Gambat remains incomplete.

The findings have raised concerns over the preparedness of public hospitals to respond effectively to fire emergencies particularly facilities caring for large numbers of patients.