ISLAMABAD — The catastrophic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that killed 14 newborn babies has laid bare a troubling pattern of administrative negligence and systemic fire safety failures at the capital’s largest public-sector hospital, according to multiple sources familiar with hospital operations.
Emergency fire drills have reportedly not been conducted at PIMS for several years, leaving medical staff without practical training on how to respond to a blaze, evacuate vulnerable patients, or protect themselves during a crisis. Hospital regulations typically mandate fire safety training for all medical personnel every six months, yet these requirements appear to have been ignored for an extended period.
Locked Exits and Malfunctioning Alarms Worsened the Disaster
Investigations into the tragedy indicate that oxygen cylinders stored in the neonatal ward significantly accelerated the spread of the fire, turning a contained incident into an uncontrollable inferno within minutes. Compounding the danger, several emergency exits and exit gates at the facility were allegedly kept closed or locked, trapping patients and staff inside the burning building.
The hospital’s alarm system also reportedly failed to activate promptly during the emergency, delaying evacuation efforts and costing precious seconds that could have saved lives. Sources familiar with the hospital’s infrastructure described the alarm response as “critically slow,” raising questions about whether the system had been properly maintained or tested.
No Coordinated Evacuation Plan for Hundreds of Patients
The lapses at PIMS have sparked serious concerns about the safety of the hundreds of patients currently receiving treatment across its various departments. Despite being the country’s premier public healthcare facility, sources claim there is no effective or coordinated plan for the rapid evacuation of patients and staff during emergencies — a glaring oversight for a hospital of its size and importance.
- No fire drills conducted for several years
- Oxygen cylinders accelerated fire spread
- Emergency exits allegedly locked or closed
- Alarm system failed to activate promptly
- No coordinated evacuation plan in place
Calls Mount for Comprehensive Safety Overhaul
In the wake of the tragedy, pressure has intensified on hospital administration and government health authorities to conduct a thorough review of fire safety measures at PIMS. Demands include immediate audits of emergency exits, testing and upgrading of alarm systems, mandatory staff training programs, and the development of a clear evacuation protocol for all departments.
The deaths of 14 newborns have become a rallying point for patient safety advocates who argue that public hospitals across Pakistan suffer from chronic underinvestment in fire prevention infrastructure. Without urgent reforms, they warn, similar tragedies could strike other healthcare facilities where safety protocols remain outdated or unenforced.
As families mourn the loss of their infants and the nation grapples with the scale of the disaster, the focus now shifts to accountability — and whether those responsible for years of neglected safety standards will face consequences.
