**Title: Tragic Fire Claims Lives of 14 Infants at Islamabad Hospital**
In a devastating incident on Wednesday morning, a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad resulted in the deaths of at least 14 infants, as confirmed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The health minister, Mustafa Kamal, indicated that the blaze was triggered by an explosion in an air conditioning unit located in the nursery ward of the hospital's mother and child health facility.
The fire broke out around 7 a.m. on the third floor of the hospital, which serves as a crucial healthcare provider in the capital city. Initial reports from broadcaster Geo TV suggested that the death toll might be as high as 15, although official counts confirmed 14 fatalities. According to Kamal, the presence of ample oxygen in the ward contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
This tragic incident marks one of the deadliest hospital fires in Pakistan in recent years, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety and management of state-run healthcare facilities in the country. PIMS, while subsidized by the government, has faced criticism for being under-resourced and overburdened, with watchdogs frequently pointing out issues of mismanagement.
Eyewitness accounts and footage from the scene depicted a harrowing scene, with the nursery ward heavily damaged and filled with smoke. Grieving relatives gathered outside the hospital, many in shock over the loss of their children. Javeria, a mother who lost her newborn in the fire, expressed her anguish, stating, “It was a gynaecology ward … there was no doctor, no nurse.” She lamented that the bodies of the infants were taken away in boxes, and the parents were not allowed to see them before they were removed.
Another parent, Mudasir, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the lack of adequate safety measures in the hospital. He noted that the building housing the ward lacked proper fire security and that many exits were closed at the time of the fire, leaving only one accessible door for parents to reach their children.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Sharif suspended the health secretary and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. The prime minister's office has committed to examining the circumstances surrounding the fire, particularly the safety protocols in place at the hospital.
Health Minister Kamal refuted claims that there were no medical staff present during the incident, asserting that appropriate personnel were on duty at the time. However, the incident has raised significant questions about the preparedness of public hospitals to handle emergencies, especially in critical care areas such as neonatal wards.
PIMS is one of the main public hospitals in Islamabad, serving a population of approximately 1.1 million people. The facility has previously been in the news, including a recent visit by former Prime Minister Imran Khan for a medical check-up.
As investigations continue, the families affected by this tragedy are left to grapple with their profound loss, while the broader community reflects on the urgent need for improvements in hospital safety and management to prevent such disasters in the future.