Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday said he had placed himself before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for accountability over Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences tragedy.
At least 14 infants lost their lives after fire erupted in the hospital’s gynaecology ward, triggering widespread public anger and criticism of the health authorities. Citizens demanded that those responsible for the tragedy be held accountable.
Speaking to reporters outside Pims, Kamal said no one responsible for negligence would be protected.
“I have presented myself before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for accountability. He is my boss and will decide my fate,” the minister said.
Kamal said CCTV footage indicated that a spark appeared near an air conditioner at around 6:38am, after which people were seen leaving the area about a minute later. He added that oxygen in the ward caused the flames to spread more intensely.
The minister assured that the facts surrounding the incident would not be withheld. However, he faced protests from people gathered outside the hospital and was forced to leave the premises.
Meanwhile, Senator Sherry Rehman called for Kamal’s resignation over the incident. She alleged that the emergency department’s door had been locked and that people were forced to break windows to gain access.
“According to my information, doctors were not present,” she said, describing the deaths of the newborns as a deeply tragic incident. She said the PPP had no intention of politicising the tragedy but had a duty to seek answers regarding the circumstances that led to the deaths.
“The minister responsible should resign,” she said.
