Kathmandu— Following a devastating fire in the neonatal ward of Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the suspension of eight hospital officials and initiated criminal proceedings against them. The blaze, which erupted shortly before 7am local time, claimed the lives of fourteen newborn babies being cared for in the Mother and Child Healthcare Centre’s nursery. An interim investigative report highlighted critical deficiencies in fire safety measures at the facility, prompting swift action from the government.

Fire Breaks Out in Neonatal Ward

The fire originated in the nursery of PIMS’s Mother and Child Healthcare Centre, quickly spreading through oxygen outlets connected to incubators. Despite being contained to a third-floor ward, the rapid escalation prevented staff from rescuing all but one of the fifteen infants receiving care. The incident occurred before 7am local time on Wednesday, triggering an immediate emergency response.

Interim Report Reveals Safety Lapses

An investigative committee presented its interim findings to Prime Minister Sharif this week, revealing a significant lack of fire safety protocols at PIMS. The report indicated that only two of the hospital’s thirteen standard operating procedures addressed fire or other emergencies. Furthermore, supervisory staff were reportedly not on duty when the fire began, leaving just two nurses, a security guard, and a house officer to respond.

Government Response and Accountability

Prime Minister Sharif has vowed that those responsible for the tragedy will face “exemplary punishment.” The suspended officials include the hospital’s executive director, two joint executive directors, the head of its neonatal department, two senior doctors, a security official, and the head of the Capital Development Authority’s emergency services. Action is also being taken against the company responsible for hospital security. Additionally, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal described Pakistan's health system as “rotten” and supported a parliamentary investigation.

Heroism Recognized Amidst Tragedy

Nurse Razia Noreen was recognized for her bravery in rescuing one child from the burning ward before being overcome by flames. Prime Minister Sharif awarded her the Sitara-i-Khidmat state honour, along with a cash reward of one million rupees (approximately $3,500). The government has also pledged five million rupees (about $17,700) in compensation to each family affected by the fire.

The interim report’s findings are expected to lead to further investigations and systemic changes within Pakistan's healthcare infrastructure. A full investigation is underway to determine the precise cause of the fire and identify all contributing factors.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.