ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed that officials found guilty of “criminal negligence” in the recent Pims fire will face strict action, saying there will be no leniency for those responsible.
The prime minister made the remarks on Wednesday while chairing an emergency meeting on health sector affairs and the investigation into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad.
The Pims nursery fire, which broke out at around 6:45am on August 26 in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health ward, claimed the lives of 14 newborns.
The nursery had 15 infants at the time of the incident, with only one baby rescued.
Shehbaz orders officials to personally oversee Pims
PM Shehbaz directed Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and Health Secretary Captain (retd) Muhammad Mahmood to ensure their personal presence at Pims on alternate days.
The officials were instructed to personally monitor the implementation of measures aimed at improving the hospital’s facilities and services.
The prime minister also ordered authorities to improve healthcare and treatment facilities at Pims and ensure strict implementation of all necessary safety and security measures.
He further directed the relevant authorities to accelerate the pace of reforms across Pakistan’s health sector.
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PM briefed on Pims fire investigation
During the emergency meeting, Shehbaz was briefed on various health sector matters as well as the ongoing investigation into the Pims fire incident.
The meeting was informed that directives issued by the prime minister following the preliminary investigation report were being implemented.
The government is continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the fire and determine responsibility for the deaths.
Initial inquiry points to serious shortcomings
Sources familiar with the matter previously said the preliminary inquiry into the deadly fire found that treatment facilities and services at Pims fell below global standards.
The report submitted to the prime minister on August 29 reportedly identified the causes of the fire and determined those responsible for the tragedy.
According to the sources, the inquiry committee recommended removing Pims Executive Director and the heads of all departments from their positions.
The latest directives from the prime minister signal a broader push for accountability and improvements in safety standards at the Islamabad hospital following one of the country’s deadliest recent hospital fire incidents.
