PIMS nursery fire: New health secretary sets up complaint camp outside hospital

ISLAMABAD: Newly appointed Federal Health Secretary Mahmood Rai has set up a camp outside the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) to personally monitor the hospital’s administrative affairs and facilities following a devastating fire in its nursery that killed 14 newborns.

The tent was installed outside the hospital late on Wednesday night, with Rai expected to use it as a base to hear complaints from patients and visitors. He will also visit the camp ‘daily’ to review the hospital’s operations and assess the facilities available to patients and their attendants, officials said.

The move comes amid mounting scrutiny of PIMS following the nursery fire, with questions being raised over fire-safety arrangements, emergency preparedness and the response of hospital staff during the incident.

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday also offered himself for accountability over the deaths, saying the tragedy should not have happened and that everyone found responsible would face action.

“First of all, I am presenting myself for accountability,” Kamal told reporters during a visit to PIMS, adding that he had also offered himself for accountability to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The minister said CCTV footage appeared to show a spark originating from an air conditioner before the fire rapidly engulfed the room.

According to Kamal, 15 newborns were present in the affected ward at the time, 14 of whom were receiving oxygen. He said the oxygen contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.

Kamal said the footage showed two doctors and two nurses rushing to assist after the fire broke out, while 26 cylinders were used during firefighting efforts. He had said the hospital had “its problems” but did not elaborate, adding that an inquiry report was expected within two to three days.

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

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

He said children receiving treatment in a ward adjacent to the affected area had since been shifted to another block of the hospital.

Kamal also said the main entrance leading to the ward had remained guarded and that a security guard was stationed outside the ward at all times.

However, he acknowledged his own responsibility for the tragedy and said he would provide the prime minister with an account of his role once those responsible had been identified.

Initial inquiry submitted to PM

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the initial report on the fire had been sent to PM Shehbaz.

Chaudhry said the fire broke out between 6am and 7am and that a rescue operation was launched immediately after the emergency was reported.

He said the operation had been completed and all 14 deceased newborns had been identified through medical procedures before their bodies were handed over to their parents.

According to Chaudhry, 19 people were rescued from the affected area, including seven newborns, two men and 10 women.

He said rescue teams reached PIMS within six minutes of receiving the alert at the control room, adding that there had been no administrative lapse during the rescue operation.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, he added, continued to monitor the situation throughout the operation.

The prime minister has constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the fire. CCTV footage and other evidence have been secured, while the committee will examine the hospital’s fire-safety arrangements and identify any shortcomings.

The inquiry will also determine whether emergency exits were closed and whether doctors and other hospital staff were present when the fire broke out.

Chaudhry said three glass windows of the nursery were broken during the rescue operation to help evacuate people trapped inside.

He urged people not to make allegations before the inquiry was completed, saying authorities needed time to establish what happened, including whether any gate or route was closed during the incident.

He said the process of determining responsibility and taking action would begin once the inquiry was completed.

Health secretary removed

Prime Minister Shehbaz has meanwhile suspended Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori and removed him from office following the tragedy, according to an official notification.

Housing Secretary retired Captain Muhammad Mahmood Rai has been given additional charge of the health secretary’s post.

PIMS launches separate probe

The PIMS administration has also formed a five-member committee to investigate the fire.

Professor Umar Farooq will head the committee, which has been tasked with reviewing the available evidence and making recommendations. The committee has been directed to submit its report within 48 hours.

The separate inquiries by the government and PIMS are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the fire, the hospital’s emergency response and whether shortcomings in safety arrangements contributed to the deaths.