The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has reformed its four-member inquiry committee to investigate the tragic fire at the Mother and Child Hospital (MCH) nursery, which resulted in the deaths of 14 newborn babies. Professor Dr Atif Inam Shami has been appointed chairman of the newly constituted panel, which also includes Deputy Executive Director Dr Aneza Jaleel, Dr Altaf Hussain, and Dr Sajjad Rafiq Abbasi.
This reconstitution follows the leave of Professor Qasim Mahmood Butt, a member of the original committee. The administration has mandated the committee to submit its findings within 48 hours. The investigation will focus on identifying the precise cause of the fire, assessing fire safety protocols in the nursery, and evaluating the efficiency of rescue efforts and emergency response times.
The committee is tasked with pinpointing any negligence and recommending strict disciplinary actions against responsible parties. Notably, Dr Aneza Jaleel has signed the notification and has herself provided a statement to the Prime Minister’s inquiry committee examining the incident.
The reformation of the committee comes amid contradictory reports regarding the fire’s origin and intensifying scrutiny of the hospital’s fire safety measures, electrical and oxygen infrastructure, and emergency preparedness. In a related development, the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has announced an independent investigation into the fire, citing serious questions raised by conflicting accounts.
Committee Chairman Mahesh Kumar Malani emphasized that their inquiry would be impartial, considering information from political figures and other sources. He noted uncertainty about whether the fire was caused by negligence or a technical fault. Hospital staff have offered varying explanations, including a potential spark from wiring or oxygen-related faults. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal had earlier attributed the fire to a spark from an air conditioner, but this claim has been contested.
Malani revealed that the committee was informed the old air conditioner in the nursery had been non-functional for some time, with two portable units in use. The hospital’s executive director concurred that the spark did not originate from the air conditioner. The fire reportedly began around 6:38 a.m. and rapidly spread due to oxygen points at each incubator, but the exact ignition source remains undetermined.
The inquiry panel also questioned the suitability of the nursery’s location. Established in 1990 within an older building, the nursery was originally designed as a gynecology ward. Malani criticized the decision to house newborns there when a newer, better-equipped block exists on the PIMS campus. Concerns were raised about the maintenance of the facility, including the presence of exposed wiring and an outdated air conditioner, which committee member Farakh Khan highlighted as potential hazards.
The committee has requested detailed information on the budget allocated to the Mother and Child Health Care Centre and its utilization, as well as records on the frequency of inspections of the hospital’s oxygen and electrical systems.
Fire safety practices are under close examination. Committee member Gul Asghar Khan inquired about the regularity of fire drills, the timing of the last drill, and the results of the most recent fire safety audit. The panel is also investigating possible human errors during the incident. PPP MNA Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro pointed out conflicting staff statements regarding the presence of personnel when the fire broke out, while Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl MNA Aliya Kamran alleged that nurses may have been coached on their testimonies and accused the on-duty doctor of negligence. Kamran further demanded the resignation of the health minister, alleging attempts to shift blame onto the air conditioner, while Soomro called for the executive director and health minister to step down on moral grounds.
Despite these allegations, the committee stressed the need for technical expert consultation before reaching a definitive conclusion on the fire’s cause.
In a related update, newly appointed Health Secretary Muhammad Mahmood Rai announced the opening of a temporary tent office at PIMS to address administrative issues and assist patients and visitors. Rai pledged to be present daily at the tent office after completing his official duties at the health ministry, prioritizing the resolution of hospital challenges and improving patient services.
He expressed hope that the reconstituted committee would soon clarify the fire’s causes and submit its report to the prime minister. Rai also conveyed condolences to the families affected by the tragedy, affirming the government’s commitment to implementing effective measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Plans are underway to upgrade PIMS infrastructure to meet international standards, alongside immediate reforms in governance and administration.
