At roughly 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, a fire broke out in the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), the nation’s largest government hospital in the capital, Islamabad. Hospital officials said the blaze started after an air‑conditioning unit compressor exploded, sending flames into the gynecology ward’s newborn unit.
The fire was quickly contained to the nursery area and did not spread to other wards, but the damage was devastating. Hospital spokesperson Dr. Aneeza Jalil confirmed that at least 14 infants perished in the incident, while one baby was rescued by a doctor on the scene. Six of the deceased infants have already been handed over to their families, and the remaining bodies will be released soon.
Family grief and public reaction
Video footage from the hospital shows distraught families gathered outside the building, mourning the loss of their children. One mother, identified by the Associated Press as Mrs. Mohammad Sami, expressed her anguish, saying, “I don’t know what to say or whom to blame. I have lost my child.” She had given birth only three days earlier.
The tragedy has sparked widespread sorrow across the country, with many citizens calling for stricter safety standards in medical facilities and better oversight of equipment maintenance.
Government response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acted swiftly, removing Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri, the senior civil servant overseeing the health ministry, from his post. In a statement, Sharif called the incident “an irreparable loss involving children” and ordered an immediate, high‑level investigation into the cause of the fire and the hospital’s safety protocols.
President Asif Ali Zardari also issued a condolence message, describing the deaths as “heartbreaking and an irreparable loss.” Both leaders emphasized the need for accountability and promised that the investigation would identify any negligence.
What comes next?
Authorities are now examining the exploded air‑conditioning unit and reviewing the hospital’s fire‑safety measures. The investigation is expected to assess whether proper maintenance procedures were followed and whether the facility complied with national safety regulations.
Health officials have pledged to provide support to the affected families, including counseling services and assistance with funeral arrangements. The incident has also reignited a broader conversation about the state of public‑sector hospitals in Pakistan, many of which struggle with aging infrastructure and limited resources.
While the immediate focus remains on the grieving families and the ongoing inquiry, the tragedy underscores the importance of robust safety standards in medical institutions, especially those caring for the most vulnerable patients.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
