Pakistan suspends eight officials over hospital fire that killed 14 babies

Pakistan has suspended eight officials following a deadly hospital fire in Islamabad that killed 14 newborns. The incident occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), a government-run facility, on Wednesday morning. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the suspensions and initiated criminal proceedings against the implicated individuals after an interim inquiry revealed serious lapses in fire safety measures. The fire broke out shortly before 7 a.m. in the Mother and Child Healthcare Centre, specifically within the nursery section. It began inside an incubator's oxygen outlet and spread swiftly through the area. Despite efforts by staff, only one of the 15 infants in the ward was rescued. The blaze was contained to the third floor, yet its rapid progression hindered effective response. Emergency services were not alerted until six minutes after the fire started, with the first responders arriving 15 minutes later. Among those suspended are key figures including the hospital’s executive director, two joint executive directors, the head of the neonatal department, two senior doctors, a security official, and the head of the Capital Development Authority’s emergency services. Additionally, a company responsible for hospital security and its personnel have been targeted for further action. The National Institutes of Health’s chief executive has been appointed as the acting director of PIMS pending a more comprehensive review. The interim inquiry into the incident uncovered critical deficiencies in the hospital’s preparedness for emergencies. Only two of PIMS’s 13 standard operating procedures addressed fire safety or emergency protocols. Supervisory staff were absent during the fire, leaving only two nurses, a female security guard, and a house officer present in the ward. These findings underscored systemic failures in oversight and training. A separate fire had previously occurred at the hospital’s nursing hostel just a month prior, yet no improvements in safety practices were implemented. One nurse, Razia Noreen, managed to pull a child to safety before the ward was engulfed in flames. In recognition of her actions, Prime Minister Sharif awarded her the Sitara-i-Khidmat state honor and a financial reward of one million rupees. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal described the country’s healthcare system as “rotten” and endorsed a parliamentary investigation into the matter. The government has also committed to providing five million rupees in compensation to each affected family. As the situation unfolds, authorities continue to assess the broader implications of the disaster and the necessary reforms to prevent future tragedies.