ISLAMABAD: Following the tragic incident in which 14 babies died in a fire in a gynaecology ward on Wednesday, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has made temporary arrangements to refer some serious gynaecological cases to Polyclinic and other hospitals in Rawalpindi, it emerged on Thursday.
The fire, which Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said was caused by a “blast in the air conditioner” in the ward, drew widespread condemnation and grief. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif swiftly removed the federal health secretary on Wednesday as an inquiry was launched.
A senior gynaecologist, who was not authorised to speak to the media, said the hospital had no refusal policy and that “all cases are accepted”.
“However, as the nursery has been burned and it will take some time to renovate and carry out repair work, it has been decided to refer very serious cases to other hospitals,” she said.
She noted that even on Thursday, there had been three or four deliveries in Pims which could be considered “serious” — but the hospital realised that other hospitals would not be able to take the load if it started referring every case.
Health ministry to be run from Pims
Newly appointed Health Secretary Capt (retd) Muhammad Mehmood, speaking to the media, said he had begun efforts to introduce new technology to address the issues.
“The infrastructure should be as per international levels and governance should also be improved. I am new and do not understand the health sector, but my job is administration and I can do it,” he said.
Mehmood said he would run the ministry from Pims and remain there most of the time to understand the problems faced by the hospital. When asked how this would work, he said it was the era of technology and “everything was possible”.
“I can leave Pims to attend important meetings, such as those chaired by the prime minister, but will then return to Pims,” he said.
The fire broke out on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital’s ward, and while it was initially suggested that a spark in the air conditioner could have led to the fire, the exact cause is yet to be ascertained.
Witnesses said they waited hours for help from the emergency services, were forced to smash through windows to try and get to the neonatal intensive care unit and came across locked doors. Authorities, however, insist otherwise.
On Thursday, the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) issued urgent directives for the effective implementation of fire safety measures in public and private hospitals across Punjab.
The PHC directed health departments, the Punjab Emergency Services Department and hospital managements to take immediate steps to ensure comprehensive arrangements for responding to fire and non-fire emergencies.
