At least 15 infants have died following a fire that engulfed a gynaecology ward at a major hospital in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), the largest public hospital in the capital. While initial reports indicated 15 infant casualties, official confirmation on the exact number was pending at the time of reporting. PIMS Spokesperson Dr. Aneeza Jalil informed The Dawn newspaper that 15 babies were in the affected ward. She noted that some infants may have been discharged overnight, making precise casualty figures unavailable immediately.
The Chenab Times has learned that the fire is suspected to have originated from a short circuit. The blaze reportedly started around 7 a.m. local time. Emergency services extinguished the flames, but a cooling process was expected to take some time.
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences is a prominent healthcare facility in Islamabad, serving a large population. The hospital has faced scrutiny in the past regarding its infrastructure and services. Investigations into the cause of the fire and the hospital’s safety protocols are anticipated.
This tragic event has raised serious questions about fire safety measures in public hospitals across Pakistan, particularly concerning neonatal intensive care units and the wards housing vulnerable infants. Experts have frequently highlighted the need for regular safety audits and the implementation of advanced fire prevention and suppression systems in healthcare institutions.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for accountability from various quarters, including healthcare professionals and civil society groups. Families of the affected infants are awaiting further information and support from hospital authorities and the government.
Officials from the hospital and relevant government departments are expected to release a detailed report on the incident following thorough investigations. The focus remains on understanding the sequence of events that led to the fire and assessing the adequacy of emergency response procedures.
The Chenab Times News Desk