ISLAMABAD \u2014 Serious questions have been raised over fire safety arrangements at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad after sources revealed that the hospital does not have a valid fire safety No Objection Certificate (NOC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to sources, PIMS lacks the required fire safety NOC despite being one of the capital\u2019s major public healthcare facilities. The disclosure has raised concerns about whether adequate safety standards were in place to protect patients, newborns, medical staff and visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The issue has also drawn attention to the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA), the body responsible for regulating healthcare facilities in the capital. Sources claim that fire safety arrangements at the authority\u2019s own office are inadequate and that it does not possess a fire safety completion certificate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The revelations have raised questions about the implementation of fire safety requirements by the regulator itself. The authority is responsible for licensing and renewing the licenses of hospitals, laboratories and clinics in Islamabad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources alleged that healthcare facilities may have their licenses renewed without fully meeting fire safety requirements. According to the sources, the IHRA renews licenses without obtaining the required NOCs from the relevant fire safety authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources further claimed that, during the annual license renewal process, hospitals sometimes rely on photographs showing rescue training conducted during November and December as evidence of fire safety preparedness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has reportedly raised concerns over the matter as well. According to sources, the CDA has written to the healthcare regulatory authority twice, asking it not to issue or renew certifications for hospitals that lack proper fire safety arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources said the authority has not responded to the CDA\u2019s letters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The revelations have become particularly significant following a tragic fire at PIMS. A fire broke out on Wednesday morning in the nursery of the hospital\u2019s gynecology ward, resulting in the deaths of 14 newborn babies, according to the information provided by officials and sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The incident has intensified scrutiny of fire prevention and emergency response systems in healthcare facilities, particularly in areas such as neonatal wards and nurseries where patients are especially vulnerable and may be unable to evacuate independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fire safety requirements in hospitals typically include appropriate detection and alarm systems, emergency exits, firefighting equipment, evacuation procedures, staff training and regular safety inspections. In neonatal units, additional precautions are essential because newborns require specialized equipment and assistance during an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest allegations raise broader questions about whether regulatory requirements are being properly enforced before healthcare licenses are renewed. If facilities can continue operating without valid fire safety documentation, questions may arise regarding the effectiveness of existing inspection and licensing mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The IHRA is responsible for regulating healthcare facilities and ensuring compliance with relevant standards. Fire safety arrangements and staff training are among the requirements considered as part of annual licensing and renewal procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reported absence of a fire safety NOC at PIMS, coupled with claims concerning the regulator\u2019s own fire safety arrangements, is likely to increase pressure on authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the nursery fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Authorities may now face calls for a comprehensive review of fire safety compliance at PIMS and other hospitals across Islamabad. Such an assessment could determine whether required NOCs, safety certificates, emergency systems and staff training are in place and functioning properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tragedy has also highlighted the importance of ensuring that safety requirements are not treated merely as administrative formalities. For hospitals, particularly neonatal and intensive-care units, effective fire preparedness can be a matter of life and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A transparent investigation into the fire, the hospital\u2019s safety certification and the licensing process could help determine whether regulatory requirements were followed and whether any failures contributed to the severity of the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reported lack of a fire safety NOC at PIMS therefore raises concerns extending beyond a single hospital. It puts the spotlight on the wider system of healthcare regulation, fire safety enforcement and emergency preparedness in Islamabad.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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