RAWALPINDI: Rescue officials have warned that major hospitals in Rawalpindi are also vulnerable to fire incidents and may pose safety risks, following the tragic fire at Islamabad\u2019s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), in which 14 newborn babies reportedly lost their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Rescue officials who spoke to Geo News on condition of anonymity, Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi are considered unsafe from a fire safety perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The officials said the fire safety systems at the hospitals have not been fully installed, raising concerns about the ability of the facilities to respond effectively in the event of a fire or other emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The warning comes after the devastating incident at PIMS brought renewed attention to fire safety arrangements at hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Hospitals require particularly stringent safety measures because patients, including newborns, critically ill individuals and people with limited mobility, may be unable to evacuate without assistance during an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rescue authorities have raised concerns about the existing fire safety infrastructure at the two major Rawalpindi hospitals. The reported shortcomings could potentially make emergency evacuation and firefighting operations more difficult in the event of a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The officials stressed the importance of ensuring that fire safety systems are fully installed and operational at hospitals. Such systems include functional fire alarms, firefighting equipment, emergency exits and clearly defined evacuation routes, as well as trained staff capable of responding quickly during an emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The situation has highlighted the need for healthcare facilities to regularly inspect their safety arrangements and ensure compliance with relevant fire protection standards. Hospitals are expected to have effective emergency response plans in place to protect patients, attendants, doctors, nurses and other staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The concerns raised by Rescue officials are particularly significant given the high number of vulnerable patients treated at major public hospitals. Any delay in detecting a fire, raising an alarm or evacuating patients could have serious consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Authorities may now face increased pressure to conduct comprehensive safety inspections of hospitals across Rawalpindi and address deficiencies in fire prevention and emergency response systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rescue officials\u2019 warning also underscores the importance of preventive measures rather than relying solely on emergency response after an incident occurs. Ensuring fully functional fire safety equipment, trained personnel and accessible evacuation routes could help reduce the risk of casualties during a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reported safety concerns at Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Holy Family Hospital have renewed calls for immediate measures to improve fire protection arrangements and ensure that hospitals are equipped to deal with emergencies effectively.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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