Punjab Orders Fire Hydrants Around Major Government Hospitals

LAHORE: The Punjab government has ordered the installation of fire hydrants around all major government hospitals across the province following the tragic PIMS hospital fire that claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies.

According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Housing Department, a list of 57 government hospitals has been prepared in the first phase for the installation of fire hydrants.

The spokesperson said the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has been tasked with identifying suitable locations and installing fire hydrants at important points around the hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Healthcare Commission has issued a directive to all public and private hospitals across the province to ensure strict compliance with fire safety measures.

The commission instructed hospitals to fully implement fire safety laws, regulations and prescribed standards. Hospitals have also been directed to follow facility management and infection control guidelines.

According to the directive, hospitals must ensure the availability of firefighting equipment, emergency exits, evacuation plans and building fitness certificates.

The Punjab Emergency Service Department has also been directed to complete fire safety inspections of public and private hospitals and provide details of facilities violating fire safety regulations to the Punjab Healthcare Commission.

Hospital administrations have further been instructed to ensure the availability of trained staff and conduct regular fire safety drills to improve preparedness for emergencies.

The measures come after a devastating fire broke out in the nursery of the gynaecology ward at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday morning, resulting in the deaths of 14 newborn babies.

A report by the Capital Development Authority’s Fire Brigade Department subsequently revealed that fire prevention and life-safety arrangements at PIMS were inadequate.

The tragic incident has prompted authorities to strengthen fire safety measures at hospitals and improve emergency response arrangements to prevent similar incidents in the future.