ISLAMABAD: The initial inquiry report into the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) nursery said the hospital’s treatment and facilities fell below global standards, sources said on Saturday.
The report, submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, also identified the causes of the incident and determined those responsible for the tragedy, they added.
The findings came three days after 14 infants died when a fire broke out at around 6:45am in the NICU on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health ward at Pims. The nursery housed 15 newborns at the time, with only one infant rescued.
The inquiry committee has recommended removing Pims executive director along with all heads of departments from their posts, sources said.
According to sources, the inquiry committee recommended the removal of Pims Executive Director Rana Imran Sikandar, Deputy Executive Director Dr Aneza Jalil, Joint Executive Director Iqbal Durrani, Deputy Director Hassan Nawaz and Joint Executive Director Children Dr Mutahir Shah.
It also proposed removing the doctors and nurses responsible for the nursery.
The report recommended appointing new and competent officials in place of those removed. It further proposed establishing a permanent governing board for Pims, saying such a body was necessary to ensure regular oversight and effective management of the hospital.
According to the report, Pims was being run in an unprofessional manner and without an appropriate administrative structure.
The committee also found that reports claiming there were more than 15 babies in the nursery when the fire broke out were incorrect, sources said. The nursery had a maximum capacity of 15 patients.
An explosion also occurred after the fire broke out due to oxygen, according to the report.
The decision on whether those held responsible would be removed from their positions will be taken by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, sources said.
The decision to make the inquiry report public rested with the prime minister, according to the sources.
Former interior secretary Shahid Khan, who headed the high-level inquiry committee constituted on the prime minister’s directive, submitted the report late on Friday night to the office of PM’s Adviser Tauqir Hussain Shah.
Shah subsequently forwarded it to PM Shehbaz and briefed him on its key findings and recommendations, the sources added.
The report recommended immediate action against those held responsible for the incident, along with disciplinary proceedings against relevant Pims staff members who were absent when the fire broke out.
The committee also documented difficulties faced by rescue teams during the emergency response and included statements from fire brigade and rescue personnel. Furthermore, interviews with Pims administration officials and doctors also formed part of the report.
It observed that “nothing was according to international standards” at Pims, while highlighting deficiencies in treatment and available facilities, according to the sources.
The committee also made recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future and improve emergency preparedness and response mechanisms at the hospital.
The report bore the signatures of all members of the inquiry committee, the sources said.
The committee comprised Shahid Khan as chairman, Major General (retd) Dr Khurshid Utra, Dr Barrister Nabeel Ahmed Awan and the Islamabad deputy commissioner.
Meanwhile, the Pims administration decided to keep the hospital fully operational on Sunday, with the administration and accounts branch also working their normal schedules.
All relevant officers and staff have been directed to ensure their attendance during designated working hours, according to a circular issued by the hospital administration.
The circular — issued by Deputy Executive Director Dr Aneza Jalil — warned that unauthorised absence, negligence or disobedience of orders would invite disciplinary action.
PM convenes review meeting
PM Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a meeting today to review the inquiry report into the Pims tragedy, according to sources.
The meeting will be chaired by the prime minister in Lahore at 5pm, with Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and other relevant officials expected to attend, the sources said.
Federal ministers and authorities concerned will also participate in the meeting, according to the sources.
The meeting, they added, will include a briefing on the investigation report concerning the incident.
The inquiry report, prepared under the leadership of former interior secretary Shahid Khan, will be reviewed in detail, the sources also said.
They added that the premier would issue important directives in light of the recommendations of the inquiry report.
