ISLAMABAD: A criminal investigation has been launched into the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies, with police beginning to record statements from suspended hospital officials.
According to details, statements of all eight suspended officials, including the former Executive Director of PIMS, will be recorded as part of the investigation. The development comes after authorities took strict action following the deadly incident and removed the officials from their positions.
On the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, temporary offices have also been established at PIMS for the federal health minister and the health secretary to oversee the situation and monitor hospital affairs.
The health secretary chaired a meeting of administrative officers at the hospital and issued key instructions, stressing that there would be no compromise on the quality of patient care and safety.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal is also scheduled to chair a meeting with the PIMS administration tomorrow. The authorities are simultaneously reviewing arrangements for the inauguration of the hospital’s new emergency department.
The fire at PIMS resulted in the deaths of 14 newborn babies, prompting the government to take immediate action against hospital officials. The Executive Director and seven other officials were subsequently removed from their posts.
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Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met nurse Razia Noreen, who risked her life to rescue a newborn during the fire. The prime minister praised her bravery, describing her as a “daughter of the nation” and a source of national pride.
During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, Shehbaz Sharif announced a cash reward of Rs100 million for Razia Noreen and said she would be awarded the Tamgha-i-Khidmat on March 23.
“You have performed an act of courage and bravery that will be remembered,” the prime minister told the nurse, according to the account of the meeting. He said she had risked her own life to save a newborn and performed a remarkable act of bravery.
The prime minister added that the mother of the child rescued by Razia would continue to pray for her throughout her life.
Recounting the incident, Razia Noreen said she was on duty during medication time when she noticed the fire. Without thinking about her own safety, she entered the affected area and asked another nurse to help rescue the babies.
She said she managed to bring one baby out and handed the child to an acquaintance before returning to rescue more newborns. At that moment, she said, a sudden explosion occurred, followed by darkness throughout the area.
