Fire Hydrants Ordered Around Major Government Hospitals Across Punjab

LAHORE:The Punjab government has ordered the construction of fire hydrants around all major government hospitals across the province as part of measures to strengthen fire safety.
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Housing Department, a list of 57 government hospitals has been prepared for the first phase of the initiative.
The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has been tasked with identifying suitable locations and installing fire hydrants at key points around the hospitals.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has issued a directive to all public and private hospitals across the province, instructing them to ensure strict compliance with fire safety measures.
The directive calls for hospitals to fully implement applicable fire safety laws, regulations and standards, while also ensuring compliance with facility management and infection control requirements.
Hospitals have been instructed to ensure the availability of firefighting equipment, emergency exits and evacuation maps, as well as valid building fitness certificates.
The Punjab Emergency Service Department has also been directed to complete fire safety inspections of public and private hospitals and provide the PHC with details of hospitals found violating fire safety regulations.
Hospital administrations have further been instructed to ensure the availability of trained staff and conduct regular fire safety drills.
The measures come after 14 newborn babies died in a fire at the nursery of the gynecology ward at PIMS Hospital in Islamabad on Wednesday morning.
A report by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Fire Brigade Department also revealed that fire prevention and life-safety arrangements at PIMS were inadequate.