PM orders implementation of Pims inquiry reccomendations within 3 months

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered authorities to implement the recommended short-term measures from the investigation report into the fire at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) within three months. During a meeting on an action plan to enhance PIMS, the inquiry report and performance audit by the Ministry of National Health Services were examined.

The fire on August 26 at PIMS' Mother and Child Hospital resulted in the deaths of 14 infants and prompted calls for accountability. The PM directed that the short-term recommendations should be carried out in the next three months, and efforts should be made to elevate the hospital to international standards. Assistance should be sought from the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre to enhance the fire safety system.

He also called for hiring professionals with a strong reputation for the hospital and preparing a comprehensive long-term action plan based on the proposed measures. The performance audit of PIMS revealed only 39.7% compliance with assessed indicators, and 37 proposed actions were confirmed to be implemented promptly following the investigative report.

The meeting was briefed on the short, medium, and long-term measures for improving the hospital. The inquiry committee, formed on Shehbaz's orders, stated that the fire was most likely caused by an electrical fault and criticized the hospital management for systemic failure, which escalated the incident.