Health Secretary Removed After PIMS ICU Fire Kills 14 Children

ISLAMABAD:The Federal Health Secretary has been removed from his post following a fire in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) that resulted in the deaths of 14 children, a well-informed source told *The News*.

According to the source, the secretary was removed over an alleged failure to comply with repeated directives from the prime minister to personally inspect hospitals in Islamabad, particularly PIMS, and assess the situation on the ground.

The prime minister had reportedly instructed the health secretary on several occasions to visit hospitals and review the quality of medical care, available facilities, and overall arrangements for patients. He was also specifically directed to ensure the availability of modern and advanced electro-medical equipment.

However, the source said the required visits could not be carried out. The prime minister had issued the same directive just four days before the PIMS tragedy, but the visit did not take place.

Following the deaths of 14 children in the ICU fire, the prime minister immediately removed the health secretary from his position. However, the immediate action does not necessarily mean that responsibility for the tragedy has been fully determined.

An inquiry committee was constituted to investigate the incident and identify lapses at various levels. The committee is expected to submit its report to the prime minister, although the report was still awaited as of Friday evening. Further action could be taken after the committee determines responsibility and makes its recommendations.

Questions are now being raised over whether other officials will also face action and whether Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal could be held accountable following the inquiry.

A source said no decision regarding the minister had so far been taken. His position would largely depend on the findings and recommendations of the inquiry committee, particularly whether it holds the federal minister or other senior officials responsible.

The source noted that in cases involving serious administrative failures, senior officials are often removed from their positions within the first 24 hours, while subsequent action is generally taken after the findings of an inquiry become available.

The federal health minister is also facing pressure from various quarters, with calls for his resignation following the deaths of the children. However, there has so far been no confirmation that he has been asked to step down.

The inquiry report will therefore be crucial in determining whether further action is taken against other officials, including the PIMS administration and officers responsible for administrative affairs.

The tragedy has also raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the existing monitoring and oversight mechanisms at major public hospitals and whether senior authorities were adequately supervising critical-care facilities.

The government’s immediate response was the removal of the health secretary. However, the broader scope of accountability is expected to become clearer once the inquiry committee submits its report to the prime minister.