PIMS nurse Razia Noreen honoured as national hero for saving newborn

ISLAMABAD: Senior nurse Razia Noreen of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has received nationwide recognition for her bravery after risking her life to save newborn babies during a fire in the hospital’s nursery.

After the fire broke out in the nursery, smoke quickly spread, making the situation extremely dangerous. However, Razia Noreen immediately entered the nursery without caring for her own safety and brought one newborn baby to safety.

Re-entered smoke-filled nursery to search for babies

According to Razia Noreen, after rescuing the first baby, she re-entered the nursery with a fellow nurse. The two nurses lay on the floor and tried to search for more babies through the smoke. However, the smoke was so dense that they could not see anything making it impossible to reach the other babies.

Recalling the incident, she said that parents entrust their children to nurses in the nursery and therefore it was impossible for her to leave the babies behind in danger and simply exit.

She said that for a nurse, the children entrusted to her by their parents are not merely someone else’s children; they become her responsibility.

National recognition for bravery

In recognition of Razia Noreen’s courage, sense of duty and efforts to save a newborn, she was awarded a national honour by the Prime Minister. Medical experts and citizens have described her actions as a shining example of the spirit of sacrifice and dedication within Pakistan’s medical and paramedical community.

However, Razia Noreen says she remains saddened that she could not save more children. She said that she has been unable to sleep since the incident and that the sense of responsibility placed on a nurse stays with her forever.

PIMS fire raises questions over hospital fire safety

According to officials, the incident has also highlighted the need to further strengthen fire-safety measures and emergency response systems in government hospitals. Razia Noreen’s bravery and dedication during the tragedy at the PIMS nursery have set an example for healthcare professionals.

Citizens have also paid tribute to her services and her efforts to save the newborn babies. Minute Mirror and the people of Pakistan salute Razia Noreen for her courage, service and humanity.