Health minister says ‘no one will be spared’ over PIMS fire tragedy

ISLAMABAD: ISLAMABAD: Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said on Wednesday he had offered himself for accountability over a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that killed 14 newborn babies, adding that anyone found responsible would be punished.

Kamal, speaking to reporters at PIMS after travelling directly from Karachi, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and described the incident as a tragedy resulting from negligence.

“First of all, I am presenting myself for accountability,” Kamal said, adding that he had also offered himself for accountability before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He said CCTV footage appeared to show a spark coming from an air conditioner, triggering the blaze.

“Within a minute, the entire room was engulfed in flames,” Kamal said, adding that two doctors and two nurses could be seen in the footage rushing to help.

Of the 15 newborns in the ward, 14 were receiving oxygen, he said, adding that the oxygen caught fire and contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.

Kamal said that 26 cylinders were used during efforts to extinguish the fire.

He said he would meet the prime minister after his arrival in Islamabad and that those found responsible would be punished.

Kamal said he could only disclose information he had been authorised to share, adding that the prime minister was his superior.

He also said he had been attending an online meeting with the prime minister during which Shehbaz ordered the removal of the health secretary from office.

“The hospital has its problems,” Kamal said, without elaborating.

He said that an inquiry report into the PIMS fire that killed 14 newborns was expected within two to three days, adding that everyone would have to face accountability over the deaths.

“This should not have happened,” Kamal, referring to the fire.

He said CCTV footage of the incident had captured the events and would help investigators determine what happened.

“This is a matter of human lives. Everyone will have to go through accountability,” he said.

Kamal said that access to the PIMS nursery had been restricted because newborn babies had previously been stolen from the facility, explaining why security guards were stationed at the entrance.

Kamal said access to the nursery had been restricted because newborn babies had previously been stolen from the facility, explaining why security guards were stationed at the entrance.

He said that children who were being treated in a ward adjacent to the children’s ward have now been shifted to another block of the hospital.

“It is extremely difficult to manage Class-A healthcare facilities in the capital, where the population has now reached around 3.3 million. I have been serving as the federal minister for nearly two years, and we are still working to ensure that all facilities are managed and provided in a timely and efficient manner,” he said.

“I assure you that effective action will be taken against all those responsible for the tragic loss of children at PIMS,” he said.

He said that the main entrance leading to the ward where the 14 children were born has always remained fully guarded.

A security guard is stationed outside the ward at all times to maintain surveillance of the area, he said.

“However, I reiterate that I also consider myself responsible for this tragic incident. Once the culprits are arrested, I will present a detailed account of my own responsibility in the matter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.”

The minister was interrupted by protests from some people present during the press conference and subsequently left the venue.