Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services Nelson Azeem, who visited PIMS after the nursery fire, blamed the hospital administration for failing to implement safety protocols.
“It’s the responsibility of the hospital administration to implement fire safety protocols … which they failed to do,” he said. “The entire blame falls on the hospital administration.”
PIMS said last week that staff had used all available fire-safety equipment to contain the blaze and that all emergency exits were open and operational.
EIGHT OFFICIALS SUSPENDED
The deaths have triggered public anger, with grieving families and civil society groups demanding accountability.
Sharif has ordered the suspension of eight officials, including the PIMS executive director, and directed that legal proceedings be initiated against those found responsible.
Others suspended include two joint executive directors, the head of the neonatal department, two doctors, the assistant director for security and the head of the Capital Development Authority’s emergency services.
The government has also announced compensation of 5 million rupees (US$18,000) for the families of each infant killed.
The National Assembly’s health committee has rejected the preliminary inquiry, saying significant gaps remain, and proposed independent fire and safety audits of healthcare facilities across the Islamabad Capital Territory.
The United Nations’ children agency UNICEF separately called for an urgent review and strengthening of fire prevention and safety standards across Pakistan’s health facilities.
Fire safety consultants say regular drills and equipment checks are critical, with hospitals advised to conduct fire drills every three months and test installed safety equipment monthly.
The deaths have prompted broader reviews of fire safety measures at hospitals across Pakistan.
Punjab, the country’s most populous province, has ordered an immediate review of fire safety systems, firefighting equipment and emergency response facilities at hospitals.
PIMS is Islamabad’s largest tertiary care hospital and treats patients from across Pakistan.
Major questions remain unanswered, and the investigation is not over. Its final report is expected to address the exact cause of the fire and who should ultimately be held responsible.
In the meantime, the interim inquiry has recommended immediate corrective measures, including a hospital-wide fire and electrical safety audit, and practical evacuation drills.
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