PIMS Hospital Tragedy: Forensic Experts Investigating Cause: Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has said that a tragic fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), resulting in the deaths of 14 newborn babies.

Speaking to the media during his visit to PIMS on Wednesday, the minister said the fire broke out at around 6:45 a.m. in the nursery ward of the Mother and Child Hospital (MCH).

According to initial information, he said, the fire appeared to have started due to a short circuit. However, the head of the forensic team was examining the site to determine the exact cause of the incident.

Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the fire spread rapidly because of gas cylinders and lines as well as plastic equipment present in the ICU. He described the deaths of the newborns as a tragic and deeply distressing incident.

He said two doctors and two nurses were on duty in the ward at the time of the fire and remained safe. The mothers of the newborns were also safe, while hospital staff managed to rescue one baby.

The minister said all necessary safety arrangements were available at the hospital, adding that the exact cause of the fire had not yet been established. He said forensic experts were conducting a detailed examination of the incident.

He added that some people had also suggested that an explosion in an air-conditioner compressor might have caused the fire, but this had yet to be confirmed.

Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said most of the children reportedly died due to suffocation caused by smoke.

He assured that those found responsible for any negligence would be held accountable and given appropriate punishment.