Punjab orders review of fire-safety arrangements at health facilities after PIMS tragedy

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday ordered an urgent review of fire-safety arrangements at public-sector health facilities across the province, while the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) also directed both public and private hospitals to strengthen emergency preparedness following the deaths of 14 newborns in a fire at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

On early Wednesday morning, a fire broke out on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital at PIMS. Fifteen newborns were in the ward at the time. Fourteen suffered severe burns and later died, while one child survived and was rescued. The deaths have renewed scrutiny of fire-safety measures at healthcare facilities, including the availability of firefighting equipment, emergency exits and hospitals’ preparedness to respond to such emergencies.

The PHC, in its directions, called on health departments, the Punjab Emergency Services Department and hospital administrations to take “immediate steps to ensure comprehensive arrangements for responding to fire and non-fire emergencies”.

The commission directed hospitals to ensure the availability of “trained personnel, functional emergency equipment, adequate resources and regular emergency drills” to enable a “prompt and effective response” during emergencies.

It also reiterated that all public and private hospitals were required to fully comply with the prescribed Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS), including requirements under the Facility Management System (FMS) and Hospital Infection Control (HIC).

Hospitals were directed to establish an emergency coding system, including “Code Red” for fire incidents, maintain functional firefighting equipment, train staff and conduct regular emergency drills.

They were also instructed to develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs), “prominently display emergency exit maps” and obtain the required building safety and fitness certificates.

Read: 14 newborns killed in fire at PIMS Hospital in Islamabad

The PHC asked the Punjab Emergency Services Department to inspect hospitals under Section 3(3) of the Punjab Community Safety Act, 2021, and the Punjab Community Safety Buildings Regulations, 2022.

“District Emergency Officers are authorised to inspect buildings, including hospitals, verify the installation and availability of fire safety arrangements, and issue safety certificates valid for one year” where the prescribed legal and regulatory requirements had been fulfilled, the commission said.

The PHC also called for fire-safety audits of all public and private hospitals to be completed “without delay”.

“Hospitals found to be in violation of applicable laws, rules, regulations or bylaws are to be issued inspection reports containing recommendations for improvement, while details of non-compliant institutions are to be shared with the commission,” it said.

The Punjab Emergency Services Department was further asked to provide details of inspections carried out during the past three years, along with a list of hospitals that had failed to meet the required statutory standards.

The commission said it would continue coordinating with relevant institutions and monitoring compliance to promote “safe, quality and dignified healthcare services for patients”.

CM Maryam orders fresh safety checks

Separately, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had issued detailed instructions to provincial authorities on August 26 for an immediate review of fire-safety arrangements at public-sector health facilities.

Under the Chief Minister’s Office notification, all deputy commissioners were ordered to immediately assess the availability and functionality of fire extinguishers and firefighting arrangements at public-sector teaching hospitals, district and tehsil headquarters hospitals, Maryam Nawaz Hospitals/RHCs and Maryam Nawaz Health Clinics.

Inspection teams were also directed to assess the “suitability and accessibility” of existing emergency exits in consultation with Rescue 1122.

The chief minister ordered a consolidated report from all districts to be submitted by August 27.

Maryam also directed Rescue 1122 to review the “existing availability and functionality of hydrant points” and identify locations where new hydrants were needed within or near health facilities across the province.

The relevant health departments were instructed to ensure the rectification of existing hydrant arrangements and installation of new water hydrants, with the assistance of other departments.

Divisional commissioners were ordered to personally supervise the work and complete it within seven days, while a consolidated compliance report was to be submitted by September 4.

Read More: Health committee finds no evidence old AC caused fire that killed 14 newborns

The chief minister further ordered both health secretaries to conduct a “complete review” of the safe functioning of air conditioners, electrical wiring and other electro-medical equipment in hospitals under their administrative control.

Any necessary rectifications were to be carried out, with the health departments required to submit compliance reports by August 29.

Maryam also ordered deputy commissioners, with the assistance of Rescue 1122 and other departments, to make “monthly emergency mock drills in health facilities a permanent feature” to continuously assess compliance with emergency-safety requirements.

In another measure aimed at upgrading hospital infrastructure, the chief minister directed the health secretaries and the chief executive officer of the Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab to prepare a feasibility report for installing technology-driven fire-alarm systems, smoke detectors and water sprinkler systems in intensive care units, nurseries and emergency units of tehsil and district headquarters hospitals and tertiary-care hospitals.

The feasibility report was to be presented to the chief minister within one week. The notification directed that all further action be taken on “top priority”.