Lawmakers call for debate on deadly Pims blaze in Parliament

Parliamentarians have called for a thorough investigation into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) that claimed the lives of 14 newborns. Multiple PPP lawmakers submitted notices in the National Assembly to demand an immediate inquiry and debate on the matter. The fire, attributed to a blast in the air conditioner, has sparked widespread condemnation and grief.

PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman submitted an adjournment motion in the Senate, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive investigation into the tragic incident. She highlighted the failure of essential safety arrangements at the central government hospital in the federal capital, raising serious questions that must be answered.

Criticism has also emerged within Pims, with senior doctors expressing the belief that the incident could have been prevented if proper safety measures had been implemented. A senior doctor claimed that flame-proof electrical fittings not being used in the nursery could potentially place responsibility on the electromedical department.

Another doctor suggested that the inquiry should examine the authorisation, planning, safety clearance, and handover process associated with the shift of patients to a new building during renovations.

The controversy surrounding the hospital's emergency exits has also come under scrutiny. Former Punjab Health Minister Dr Javed Akram criticized the decision to close the emergency doors to prevent theft, arguing that CCTV cameras and guards would have been more appropriate. Former secretary general of the Pakistan Medical Association Dr Qaiser Sajjad suggested that the government should focus on upgrading existing hospitals for a year before initiating new health projects. He also proposed that key figures receive medical treatment from public-sector hospitals.

The Pakistan Society of Emergency Medicine (PSEM) called for a transparent, objective, and systems-based review of the incident, focusing on identifying lessons to enhance patient safety across healthcare facilities. Civil society activists, including Shafique Chaudhry and Sadia Bokhari, held a press conference at Islamabad’s National Press Club, demanding the immediate suspension of senior administrative staff and the implementation of comprehensive safety protocols for all hospitals.