PM wants health reforms expedited

Shehbaz orders strict action over PIMS fire

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday chaired an emergency meeting on health sector affairs and the recent fire incident at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) immediately after returning from Kyrgyzstan.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on matters concerning the health sector, as well as the ongoing investigation into the PIMS fire incident.

The meeting was informed that directives issued by the prime minister in light of the preliminary investigation report were being implemented.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Health SyedMustafa Kamal, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Secretary Health Captain (R) Muhammad Mahmood, and PIMS Executive Director Dr Muhammad Salman.

Expressing concern over the incident, PM Shehbaz Sharif made it clear that no leniency would be shown to officials found guilty of criminal negligence.

He directed the health minister and the secretary health to ensure their personal presence at PIMS Hospital on alternate days and personally oversee the implementation of measures aimed at improving the institution.

The prime minister also ordered authorities to ensure improvements in healthcare and treatment facilities at PIMS and to strictly implement all necessary safety and security measures.

He also directed the authorities concerned to accelerate the pace of reforms across the country's health sector.

Inquiry findings

The incident sparked nationwide outrage after 14 newborns were killed, with only one newborn girl among those inside the ward rescued alive.

The tragedy prompted immediate action from the federal government, with PM Shehbaz forming a five-member inquiry committee. The committee's interim report highlighted several deficiencies at the hospital and recommended action against eight individuals.

Those identified by the committee and suspended on the prime minister's orders include PIMS Executive Director Prof Dr Imran Sikandar, Joint Executive Directors Dr Mutahir Shah and Dr Owais Ali Shah, head of the neonatal department Prof Dr Sadia Riaz, senior registrars Dr Naghma and Dr Nousheela Amjad, PIMS Assistant Director Security Mohammad Usman and Capital Development Authority Emergency Services Director General Dr Abdul Rehman.

The interim report said the precise source of ignition had not yet been "conclusively established", adding that various accounts had attributed the fire to an air conditioner, an incubator or warmer, or an electrical short circuit or overloaded plug.

"Accordingly, an internal electrical/equipment-related origin remains plausible, but it would be premature to identify any particular appliance or component as the established cause," the report said.

The report said the Capital Emergency Services (CES) had separately found fire and life-safety arrangements to be inadequate and compromised.

It said emergency exits and escape routes were locked or obstructed, security personnel hindered aspects of the initial response, and crowd management was inadequate. According to the CES account, firefighters had to forcibly open locked fire-exit doors and other access points.