The leader of the country, Shehbaz Sharif, has given permission to stop the work of eight people who were mentioned by the group that looked into the situation at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. He also asked for action against those who are to blame for the fire that caused deaths.
The leader said that the people who were not careful enough and caused problems would not be treated kindly. They would get a punishment that shows others what happens if they do wrong.
This choice was made during a meeting with people led by the leader. At that meeting, the first report from the group looking into the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences was shared.
The people who are at risk of being suspended include Pims Executive Director Professor Dr Imran Sikandar, Joint Executive Directors Dr Mutahir Shah and Dr Chaudhry Awais Ali Shah, Head of the Neonatology Department Professor Dr Sadia Riaz, Senior Registrar Dr Naghma, Dr Naushila Amjad, Assistant Director Security Pims Muhammad Usman and CDA Director General Emergency Services Dr Abdulrehman.
The prime minister also ordered actions against the people mentioned in the report along with steps taken against the security company that handles hospital security and its officers.
Dr Muhammad Salman, CEO of the National Institute of Health, has been named as Acting Executive Director of Pims. The prime minister ordered the hiring of new officials to take the places of those who were removed from their roles.
He also ordered that the preliminary inquiry report be released to the public. The report will be posted on the Ministry of National Health website.
The prime minister approved giving the Sitara-e-Imtiaz award. Rs1 million to Nurse Razia Noreen. Nurse Razia Noreen saved a child at the hospital while risking her life during the fire.
He also ordered an investigation, appointing another nurse who was in the ward and the female guard as officers on special duty.
The inquiry found weaknesses in fire safety arrangements at Pims. No detailed standard operating procedures or training existed for fire and emergency situations. Of the hospital’s 13 SOPs, two sub-sections mentioned fire or emergency situations.
The inquiry found that supervisory staff was not present when the fire broke out. Two nurses, a guard and a house officer were in the ward at that time.
The fire spread through the ward in about two minutes. A nurse saved a child’s life just before the fire spread.
Emergency services were called six minutes after the fire started. The first emergency response arrived at the hospital 15 minutes later.
A fire also broke out at the Pims nursing hostel in July. No serious measures were taken afterward to improve fire safety.
I was shocked to learn that the neonatal ward had no fire alarm or sprinkler system. The inquiry also found that the neonatal ward violated WHO guidelines. No officer had been assigned to handle fire emergencies; that duty was an extra task for the assistant director.
During the meeting, I was briefed about the condition of the hospital and the administrative mismanagement.
The Prime Minister said that the deaths of children were a heartbreaking tragedy that had grieved the entire nation. The Prime Minister expressed sympathy for the children’s parents and promised that those responsible would receive exemplary punishment.
Prime Minister praised Nurse Razia Noreen for rushing to save a child even as the fire raged. Prime Minister said her actions showed responsibility and humanity.
The meeting also showed CCTV footage of the incident, which lasted two minutes.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the inquiry committee head, Shahid Khan, and the members. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the investigation to be completed and a detailed report to be submitted.
Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Ataullah Tarar and Syed Mustafa Kamal, committee head Shahid Khan, members Barrister Nabil Awan and Major General (retd) Khurshid Attra and senior officials attended the meeting.
Earlier, sources said the Prime Minister had decided to implement the recommendations of the inquiry report. Formal action was expected against Pims officials.
The report recommended the dismissal of ten people held responsible for negligence and administrative failures. Those named included Pims Executive Director Rana Imran Sikandar and Joint Executive Director Iqbal Durrani.
It also recommended the removal of Joint Executive Director Children Mutahir Shah, Deputy Executive Director Dr Aneeza and Deputy Director Hassan Nawaz.
The inquiry committee, headed by former interior secretary Shahid Khan, held hospital officers responsible for negligence and carelessness.
According to sources, the committee found that Pims was being run in an unprofessional manner and without an effective administrative structure. The report also included recommendations from Acting Secretary Capt (retd) Mahmood.
The committee recommended appointments in place of officials removed from their posts to improve the hospital’s administration.
It also recommended the establishment of a governing board to oversee Pims affairs along with a proper institutional structure for the hospital.
The committee called for monitoring of major government hospitals to address administrative weaknesses and improve the management of Pims.
