14 Newborns Die in PIMS Nursery Fire, Health Minister Calls Incident an Accident

ISLAMABAD:Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has described the deaths of 14 newborns in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) as an accident, saying accountability for the incident should begin with those responsible while acknowledging that a lack of resources is also a major issue.

Speaking on Geo News’ programme *Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath*, the minister said he had discussed several issues, including fire safety and staff training, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Kamal said the PIMS incident supported the government’s position regarding the need for proper administrative units. He stressed that the prime minister or federal health minister should not be directly responsible for running individual hospitals.

He said the government would not spare anyone found responsible for negligence. Responding to a question about his possible resignation, Kamal said he had already presented himself before the prime minister for accountability and would accept whatever decision his “boss” made.

The minister also explained that a guard was deployed round the clock at one of the nursery’s doors because newborns had previously been stolen from that entrance. He said a guard was also stationed along the evacuation route.

The tragedy occurred on Wednesday morning when a fire broke out in the nursery of the gynecology ward at PIMS in Islamabad. According to rescue officials, the fire started at around 6:45 a.m., reportedly after an air-conditioner compressor exploded.

Hospital authorities said 15 babies were present in the nursery when the fire broke out. A lady doctor managed to rescue only one newborn, while the remaining 14 babies died in the blaze.