LAHORE: The Punjab government has launched the SHIELD programme to assess electrical systems, identify fire and overloading risks, and improve safety in public hospitals, with energy audits of 20 major healthcare facilities to be completed within four months following the recent incident at PIMS Hospital, Islamabad.
Provincial Minister for Energy Faisal Ayub Khokhar, chairing a meeting here on Friday to review the programme, was informed that energy audits of Children’s Hospital Lahore and Services Hospital Lahore had already been completed.
Secretary Energy Ajmal Bhatti and Punjab Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency (PEECA) Chief Executive Officer Abdul Rehman briefed the minister on the programme’s objectives, progress and implementation strategy.
Under the initiative, electrical installations, connected loads, distribution systems and other critical infrastructure at 20 major public hospitals with high energy consumption will be assessed to identify technical deficiencies, overloading risks and potential electrical hazards.
The findings will form the basis for recommendations to address safety deficiencies, improve electrical infrastructure and enhance energy performance at the selected healthcare facilities.
The programme was initiated following the recent incident at PIMS Hospital in Islamabad to strengthen preventive assessments of electrical systems in public hospitals across Punjab. It aims to identify potential risks at an early stage and prevent accidents through timely corrective measures.
The minister stressed that a safe and reliable electricity supply was essential for patient care and the uninterrupted functioning of critical medical equipment.
He said timely identification and elimination of electrical hazards were necessary to protect patients, healthcare professionals and hospital staff. With promoting energy efficiency, ensuring the safety and reliability of hospital electrical installations would remain a key priority, he added.
The minister directed the relevant authorities to complete the audits within the stipulated four-month timeframe and coordinate with hospital administrations and departments concerned to ensure timely implementation of recommended safety measures and infrastructure improvements.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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