Summary Interim inquiry finds serious safety lapses, inadequate emergency procedures and delayed response
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the immediate suspension of eight officials following an interim inquiry into the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), directing that criminal and departmental proceedings be initiated against those found responsible.
A high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister reviewed the PIMS fire incident, during which the interim report of the inquiry committee was presented. The report identified eight individuals as responsible for lapses linked to the incident.
The officials ordered to be suspended include PIMS Executive Director Professor Dr Imran Sikandar, Joint Executive Directors Dr Mutahir Shah and Dr Owais Ali Shah, Neonatal Department head Professor Dr Saadia Riaz, Senior Registrar Dr Naghma, Dr Nosheela Amjad, PIMS Assistant Director Security Muhammad Usman and CDA Emergency Services Director General Dr Abdul Rehman.
PM Shehbaz approved disciplinary and criminal proceedings against the officials without discrimination, stressing that those responsible for criminal negligence would not be given any concession.
He directed authorities to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice and approved action against the security company deployed at the hospital and its officials. He also ordered the immediate appointment of replacements for the officers removed from their posts.
Safety lapses
According to the interim inquiry report, PIMS lacked detailed standard operating procedures and adequate training to deal with fires and other emergencies. Of the hospital's 13 SOPs, only two subsections contained references to fire or emergency situations.
The report found that supervisory staff were not present on duty when the incident occurred. Two nurses, a female security guard and a house officer were present in the ward at the time.
The fire reportedly engulfed the entire ward in around two minutes. Emergency services were called six minutes after the fire started, while the first emergency response arrived 15 minutes later.
The neonatal ward also lacked a fire alarm and sprinkler system, while the inquiry found violations of World Health Organisation fire-safety requirements.
The committee noted that an earlier fire at the PIMS nursing hostel in July had also failed to result in effective safety improvements at the hospital.
Further action
The prime minister approved the award of Sitara-e-Khidmat for a nurse who risked her life to save a child during the incident. Another nurse and a female security guard who were present in the ward have been made officers on special duty (OSD), with further investigations ordered.
He also directed the appointment of Dr Muhammad Salman, CEO of the National Institute of Health (NIH), as acting executive director of PIMS.
The meeting was also briefed on the deteriorating condition and administrative issues at PIMS. The prime minister thanked inquiry committee chairman Shahid Khan and its members and directed them to complete the investigation and submit a detailed final report.
Describing the deaths of innocent children as a deeply tragic incident that had saddened the entire nation, Shehbaz Sharif expressed sympathy with the bereaved parents and pledged exemplary punishment for those responsible.
He said action must ensure that no family loses a child because of criminal negligence in the future.
The prime minister also ordered that the interim inquiry report be made public immediately. The report will be published on the website of the Ministry of National Health Services.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and Syed Mustafa Kamal, inquiry committee chairman Shahid Khan, members Barrister Nabeel Awan and Major General (retd) Khurshid Utra, along with other senior officials.
