PIMS fire: here’s the full text of interim inquiry report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suspended eight PIMS officials, including the Executive Director, following an inquiry into a neonatal ward fire that killed 14 children, citing severe lapses in fire safety and emergency protocols.
- Suspension of PIMS officials over neonatal ward fire.
- Inquiry findings on PIMS fire safety and emergency protocols.
- Absence of supervisory staff during the incident.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered on Saturday the immediate suspension of eight officials of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), including the Executive Director Imran Sikandar.
The names were identified by an inquiry committee as responsible for the PIMS neonatal ward fire that claimed the lives of at least 14 children.
The inquiry found that PIMS had no detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) or training for dealing with fire or other emergency situations. Of the hospital’s 13 SOPs, references to fire or emergency situations were found in only two subsections.
It also found that no supervisory staff was present on duty when the incident occurred. Two nurses, a female security guard and a house officer were present in the ward at the time.
Read the full text of the interim inquiry report below, which details the committee’s findings on the PIMS fire, including lapses in fire safety, emergency response, and the responsibilities of officials.