PIMS fire tragedy left Islamabad’s hospitals under intense safety spotlight as questions mount over emergency preparedness, details of fire extinguishers installed at other major public hospitals in the capital have now emerged.
According to details, fire extinguishers have been installed outside various departments at Polyclinic and Islamabad Capital Hospital, providing staff with equipment that can be used during an emergency.
At Islamabad Capital Hospital, one of the fire safety cylinders carries an issuance date of September 30, 2025, and an expiry date of September 30, 2026, according to the available information.
Meanwhile, a fire extinguisher installed at Polyclinic bears an issuance date of June 8, 2025, and an expiry date of June 7, 2027.
The dates have brought the condition and maintenance of firefighting equipment into sharper focus following the PIMS tragedy, raising questions over whether simply having fire extinguishers in hospitals is enough to ensure patient safety.
Fire safety experts and hospital protocols generally stress that extinguishers must not only be available but also regularly inspected, properly maintained and easily accessible. Hospital staff must additionally be trained to respond quickly when a fire breaks out, particularly in sensitive areas such as nurseries, intensive care units and maternity wards.
The issue gained urgency after the deadly fire at PIMS’s gynaecology department, where 15 newborn babies lost their lives, while one baby girl miraculously survived. The tragedy triggered administrative action, with the federal health secretary suspended following the incident.
Last Month Fire Incident
A fire incident at PIMS Nursing Hostel nearly a month before the deadly hospital blaze also raised questions over fire safety and emergency preparedness at the medical facility.
According to documents, a fire broke out on July 6 at the hostel reception, where 78 female students were staying. No one was injured, but three sofas were destroyed. The cause of the fire could not be established because electrical and forensic reports were unavailable. An inquiry committee recommended departmental action against the hostel warden and security staff.
The report also revealed that the nursing hostel had no CCTV cameras, fire alarm system or emergency plan. Although several recommendations were made following the July incident, the documents indicate that they were not implemented. The revelation comes after the recent PIMS fire in which 15 newborn babies were killed, putting the hospital’s safety arrangements under intense scrutiny.
