PIMS stops accepting new maternity cases after deadly nursery fire

The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) administration has stopped accepting new maternity cases following the devastating fire

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) administration has stopped accepting new maternity cases following the devastating fire that broke out in the hospital’s nursery, as the facility struggles to accommodate patients within its reduced capacity.

PIMS Executive Director Rana Imran Sikandar confirmed the decision saying the hospital could not take in more patients than its current capacity allows.

“We cannot accommodate more patients than our capacity,” Sikandar said, explaining that the shortage of available beds was the primary reason for refusing new maternity cases.

The decision comes after a fire in the hospital’s children’s nursery severely damaged the facility and destroyed several beds. According to the PIMS executive director, 15 beds in the nursery were completely destroyed in the blaze.

The nursery previously had a total capacity of 50 beds. Following the fire, only 35 beds remain available for patients, significantly reducing the hospital’s ability to accommodate newborns and other critical cases.

The reduced capacity has created additional pressure on the hospital’s maternity and neonatal services. With fewer beds available, the administration has decided to redirect new maternity cases to other healthcare facilities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Sikandar said PIMS has already contacted other hospitals and sent them letters regarding the situation. The administration is coordinating with healthcare facilities in the two cities to ensure that patients who cannot be accommodated at PIMS can receive treatment elsewhere.

Some babies have already been transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences’ partner facilities and other hospitals, while several newborns have reportedly been sent to the Federal Government Polyclinic for further care.

The administration is expected to continue transferring patients as necessary until the affected nursery facilities are restored and the hospital is able to resume normal operations.

The fire has raised concerns over the capacity and emergency preparedness of major public hospitals, particularly facilities providing maternity and neonatal care. The nursery is a critical part of PIMS, where newborns requiring specialised medical attention are treated.

The decision to stop accepting new maternity cases is likely to affect families seeking treatment at one of the capital’s largest public healthcare facilities. Patients may now have to travel to other hospitals in Islamabad or Rawalpindi for maternity services, potentially placing additional pressure on already busy healthcare facilities.

Hospital officials have maintained that the decision is based on capacity limitations rather than a permanent suspension of maternity services. The administration will continue to assess the situation as damaged facilities are repaired and patient capacity is gradually restored.

The fire has also intensified scrutiny of safety arrangements within hospitals, particularly in areas where newborns and critically ill patients may have limited ability to evacuate during an emergency.

For now, PIMS is focusing on managing its reduced capacity, transferring patients where necessary and coordinating with other hospitals to ensure continuity of care.

As investigations into the fire continue, attention is also expected to remain on hospital safety measures, emergency response systems and whether adequate facilities are available to protect vulnerable patients in the event of future emergencies.