NA health panel visits Pims, says fire in nursery may have been caused by 'technical fault'

The National Assembly's Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination visited Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) regarding a fire that killed 14 infants. Committee chairperson Mahesh Kumar Malani stated that the cause of the fire may have been a technical fault, challenging the earlier claim by Health Minister Mustafa Kamal that it was caused by a spark from the air conditioner.

Malani emphasized that the source of the fire had yet to be determined, noting conflicting accounts from doctors, nurses, and the hospital administration. He suggested that the fault could have originated from the oxygen pipes or electricity wiring. The nursery, built in 1990, was deemed unfit for babies, and Malani called for an investigation into the hospital's maintenance practices.

Committee members also questioned the hospital's fire safety measures, including the functionality of fire alarms and the frequency of fire drills. The committee demanded answers about the nursery's maintenance, budget utilization, and the qualifications of staff involved. They called for the resignation of the health minister and the on-duty staff, citing concerns about transparency and potential negligence.