Conflicting Statements Emerge After Fire Incident at PIMS Hospital

ISLAMABAD: Investigations into the fire incident at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) are continuing, while conflicting statements have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Health was held under the chairmanship of Dr Mahesh Kumar, where committee members discussed the fire that affected the hospital’s nursery.

During the meeting, a committee member said a staff member had claimed that she saw a spark before leaving the area. The committee said it would also investigate why she did not inform anyone about the incident. Members noted that contradictions had also emerged in statements given by doctors and other staff.

The committee observed that the nursery was the only part of the hospital affected by the incident. However, no burn marks were found on the sheets placed on the nursery beds, raising further questions about the exact cause and origin of the fire.

Meanwhile, the chairman and members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Health also visited PIMS and decided to conduct their own investigation into the incident.

Committee Chairman Mahesh Kumar Malani told journalists that the committee would not rely solely on the government inquiry and would independently examine the facts on merit. He said information received from political party leaders was also being reviewed.

Malani said there must have been some failure somewhere in the fire safety arrangements or in the circumstances that led to the incident. All relevant officials would be summoned to determine responsibility, he added.

He further said that suspending only the health secretary would not resolve the issue, stressing that the executive director also had an important role as the administrative head of the institution.

The committee chairman said information had been obtained from hospital staff and nurses who were on duty at the time. However, no one had actually witnessed where the fire started. Different accounts had emerged, but it was too early to conclusively determine the cause of the fire.

According to preliminary information, there was a spark in an air-conditioning unit shortly before the fire. The minister had also referred to the possibility of an AC-related spark. The committee said the executive director should have ensured an assessment of the AC system and possible technical faults.

Committee members stressed that a complete and accurate report on the incident must be provided and that any shortcomings at the hospital administration and ministry levels would be identified.

Separately, newly appointed Federal Secretary for Health Mahmood Rai has arranged a tent outside PIMS Hospital where citizens can sit and register their complaints.

Mahmood Rai will reportedly sit at the camp daily to review hospital administration and facilities and listen to complaints from citizens.