ISLAMABAD: Authorities have launched a crackdown on fire and life safety violations at public and private hospitals and medical centres across Islamabad following the PIMS tragedy.
According to sources, inadequate fire and life safety arrangements were found at 48 government and private hospitals and medical facilities in the federal capital, prompting the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to impose a combined fine of Rs140.5 million on the institutions.
The fines were issued on August 30 and 31, with penalties ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs500,000 for violations of fire safety regulations.
PIMS, Polyclinic Hospital and Capital Hospital were each fined Rs500,000. Another prominent hospital in Islamabad was also slapped with a Rs500,000 penalty.
Sources said the CDA had previously issued multiple notices to several of the institutions over inadequate fire safety arrangements. PIMS had received six notices, Polyclinic seven, Capital Hospital six, while the prominent hospital had been issued nine notices.
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Inspections reportedly identified serious shortcomings in fire detection systems, alarms, emergency exits and firefighting equipment at various hospitals and medical centres.
The CDA has directed all affected institutions to strictly comply with prescribed fire and life safety standards and improve their safety arrangements.
Sources said the authority has decided to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards fire safety violations. Further action may be taken against hospitals and medical centres that fail to bring their facilities up to the required standards.
The crackdown follows the recent tragedy at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where a fire in the neonatal ward reportedly claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies, prompting heightened scrutiny of fire safety arrangements at healthcare facilities in the capital.
